Non-seeded Indonesians cruise into second round

Non-seeded Indonesians cruise into second round

JAKARTA (JP): Unfancied Beatrix Renyaan and Fransina Une Putty
from Maluku defied all the odds as they spiked their way into the
second round of the 11th Women's Beach Volleyball World
Championship at the Senayan clay tennis courts yesterday.

Renyaan/Une Putty upset Switzerland's Katie Neeser/Denise
Koelliker, the 19th seeds, 16-14 in the US$140,000 championship
sponsored by tile company Keramik Diamond.

Earlier yesterday, "giantkillers" Renyaan/Une Putty defeated
the fourth seeded American tandem of Holly McPeak/Karrie Poppinga
and Kim Sung-min/Ji Kyung-Hee of South Korea, seeded 20th.

Renyaan/Une Putty had to dig deep into their reserves in their
third match against the taller Neeser and Koelliker. The Swiss
duo tool a comfortable 13-7 lead before Renyaan and Une Putty
staged a tremendous fightback to level the score, much to the
delight of the 100 spectators.

Backed by the vocal and partisan crowd, Renyaan/Une Putty
combined exceptionally well to outspike and outwit their
opponents before clinching the match.

"We never thought of winning the match. But our fighting
spirit was boosted when we sensed that our opponents were tiring.
The vociferous cheers from the spectators also did wonders for
our morale," a jubilant Renyaan said.

Renyaan and Une Putty take on Pernille Jorgensen and Camilla
Funck from Denmark in today's match, which will be aired by TPI
at 3.00 p.m.

Meanwhile the Indonesian Olympians, Ni Putu Timy Yudhani and
Engel Berta Kaize, seeded 12th, failed to live up to expectations
as they crashed to the 21st seeds, Monique Oliver/Jennifer
Meredith of the United States 4-15 and 11th seeds Jorgensen/
Funck. Earlier, in an all-Indonesian affair, Timy/Bertha beat
compatriots Sandrina/Emiliati Nengsih 15-7.

Timy and Bertha said they were somewhat surprised with their
win, "because we did not have enough time to prepare ourselves
for the championship." They both said they were very exhausted
after taking part in tournaments in South Korea, Japan and
Belgium.

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalists Jackie Silva/Sandra Pires of
Brazil were forced to go the limit to eliminate the United States
pair of Chris Schaefer/Leanne Schuster 15-12.

Scheafer/Schuster, seeded 17th, had no trouble defeating
Kristine Drakich/Lisa Cepelauskas of Canada, the 16th seeds, 15-
2, while Silva/Pires received a bye in the first round.

Silva/Pires will be challenged by ninth seeded Ana Maria
Solazzi/Laura Bruschini of Italy, who beat eighth seeded Annette
Huygens-Tholen/Angela Clarke of Australia. (yan)