RI spikers write history in the sand

RI spikers write history in the sand

ATLANTA BEACH, Georgia (DPA): Indonesian pair Etta and Timy
wrote beach volleyball history on Tuesday, taking part in the
very first match of the sport's first Olympic outing - and they
won, though losing a later encounter with Brazil's world top duo.

The popular sport's first match at the Atlanta Beach site saw
them defeat Canada's Broen Ouellette and Margo Malowney 15-10,
with Etta making history in fine style with an ace, and going on
to serve for four straight points.

The Indonesian couple continued strongly, building up a 10-4
lead behind the jump-serving Etta before the Canadians rallied
back to 10-9.

Timy, at 19 youngest player in the competition, served for two
more immediate points, then after the Canadians pulled back to
12-10, a kill by Etta regained serve, which she held out to the
end.

However, in their second match of the day the Indonesians,
seeded 17th in the 18-team field, were out of their class against
Brazil's Sandra Pires and Jackie Silva, losing 15-2.

The Brazilians already had 14 points on the board before Etta
made a pair of kills for their only two points, although the
underdogs delayed defeat by forcing five match point tries.

"It really wasn't a big problem for us to play the best team
in the world, because we know we're so far over our heads," Etta
said later. "We only started playing beach volleyball this year."
Etta and Timy stay in contention, facing Mexico on Tuesday.

Indonesia's men's team of Nur Mufid and Markoji went down 15-7
in their opener against Spain, knocking them back to the
elimination round yesterday against a side being decided later.

The 24th-seeded pair held the Spaniards to 4-4 before Sixto
Jiminez had three digs on consecutive plays for a 7-4 lead which
he and partner Javier Bosma worked up to 9-4 before the
Indonesians scored again.

Nur Mufid's kill, a Markoji ace and another dig and kill by
Nur Mufid brought the last Indonesian points, and the pair were
finally overcome by Bosma's net presence and Jiminez's
outstanding defense.