Nagoya, Japan, October 10, 2018 - Tandara Caixeta scored a match-high 28 points as Brazil handed the Netherlands their first loss 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 25-27, 25-19, 15-7) in the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship on Wednesday afternoon.
Gabriela Guimaraes and Fernanda Rodrigues had 13 each for Brazil in the win.
Lonneke Sloetjes paced the Dutch with 25 points in the defeat.
The Netherlands entered the match with a 7-0 record, while the Brazilians were 5-2.
The majority of the points in the contest were scored on quick strikes. There were few extended rallies.
The match had an ebb and flow with both squads looking in charge at times. Brazil's superior teamwork at key point proved the difference in the end.
Brazil's blocking was especially proficient on this day, while the Dutch had problems in reception.
After taking the third set, the Netherlands appeared to have the momentum, but the South Americans fought hard to level it 2-2 and force the fifth set.
The Dutch jumped to a 4-0 lead in the opening set. After Tandara sent a serve long, the Netherlands led 8-4 at the first TTO. A nice tip over the high block by Ana Correa brought Brazil within two points at 9-7. A long rally was ended by Yvon Belien with a spike and the Dutch led 14-11. An ace by Juliet Lohuis made it 20-17 for the Dutch. Brazil kept it close until nearly the end of the set, pulling withing 18-17 at one point, but the Netherlands always looked in control. The Dutch took the set 25-21 when a Brazil spike went long.
Brazil took the initiative in the second set with an aggressive attack and led 8-4 at the first TTO. Brazil extended the lead to 14-9 on a big block by Tandara. Brazil was firmly in control of the set at 16-10 at the second TTO. An ace by Danielle Lins made it 19-12 for Brazil. An ace by Tandara gave Brazil the set 25-18.
The South Americans grabbed a 8-1 lead at the first TTO in the third set via a strong block and attack. An ace by Ana Correa made it 12-5 for Brazil. The Dutch started to come back trailing 12-7 on a block by Anne Buijs. Down 14-9, they scored five of the next seven points, including a pair on aces, to trail 16-14 at the second TTO. They pulled even at 17-17, but Brazil surged back ahead 23-20. The Dutch fought back and leveled at 24-24 and Belien pounded a spike to give them set point at 25-25. Fernanda Rodrigues then fired a spike long and the Netherlands claimed the set 27-25 on a deft tap by Celeste Plak.
The fourth set was tight from the beginning, going point-by-point, with neither side able to open a significant lead. Brazil was up 8-7 at the first TTO. A nice reverse tap by Roberta Ratzke made it 11-10 for Brazil. Sloetjes fired an ace and it was 15-15. Brazil then seized control by taking the next five points to lead 20-15. A spike by Fernanda made it 24-19 and Tandara's flying spike gave Brazil the set 25-19.
The final set was close again as the Dutch went up 4-2 after a spike and ace from Plak. Brazil responded with four straight points to lead 6-4 and the Netherlands called a timeout. A block by Fernanda made it 8-5 at the changeover and Brazil steamed on to claim the set and match 15-7.