Jakarta dominates second day of interchapter volleyball c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta men's and women's volleyball teams dominated the second day of the 2001 Interchapter National Volleyball Championships at the basketball hall in Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan on Tuesday.

Jakarta men's team recorded a second consecutive victory with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-14) win over South Sumatra. While the women's team scored the first win over newcomer Banten 3-0 (25- 14, 25-13, 25-15).

In the men's side, Banten, a newly established province, had to swallow its second defeat against West Java 3-1 (16-25, 22-25, 25-22, 20-25). West Kalimantan earned its first win over Jambi 3- 0 (25-16, 25-20, 27-25), and Central Java beat Central Kalimantan 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-9).

The other women's matches saw teams from Java much more stronger than their counterparts from outside the island.

East Java was no match for Central Java, thrashing the latter 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-13) and West Java defeated West Nusa Tenggara 3-1 (29-27, 27-29, 25-9, 25-17). South Sumatra managed to win a set, but gave up to Yogyakarta 1-3 (15-25, 19-25, 25-20, 22-25).

Women's beach volleyball player from West Nusa Tenggara, Ni Putu Timi Yudani, who joined the indoor team in the championships, said that her team should have tried to win the first set to boost their motivation, but they failed because they were too hasty in finishing the set.

"I myself was very tired in the third set because I had just completed the beach volleyball circuit last week," she said.

Jakarta women's team outclassed its rival from Banten, whose players mostly came from West Java and Jakarta. The home team made a full-speed attack that left Banten helpless.

Enny Hartanti gave hope to Banten in the third set with a powerful smash, which the Jakarta players failed to block.

But Jakarta captain Riesma and tosser Rita Kurniawati spiked in a row at Banten's court to improve the score. Banten also lost one point after failing to return Rostiawati's service.

Banten gradually trailed Jakarta 8-6. But Jakarta improved its scores after the players successfully blocked a ball from the other side to extend its lead to 9-6.

The consecutive smashes from Niniek, Meilan Sugianto, Riesma, Inna Mayrinna widened the gap to 16-6, but Riesma's smash fell far outside the line and earned Banten a point 16-7.

Rostiawati failed to return the ball and earned Banten one more point. But Inna and Meilan sent two powerful blows into the opponents court that took Jakarta to 18-8.

Banten added six more points to narrow the gap, but it was too late for the young team to win the set. Riesma slammed back at Banten's court to seal her team's victory in 25-15. (ivy)