Jesolo, Italy, June 12, 2015 - Australia dented Italy's hopes of catching Pool A leaders Brazil after Thomas Edgar stared in comfortable 3-0 victory, hitting 22 points to give them their first win of the FIVB Volleyball World League 2015.
Rock-bottom Australia were looking to earn their first win in Pool A and were the first out of the blocks racing into a 14-7 lead to stun the home side and their vocal contingent. With Italy just the game behind Pool A leaders Brazil, they were hoping to stay on the tails of the South American side whilst condemning Australia to further misery. However it was the away side who took the first set comfortably 25-16.
It was more of the same in the second set as Australia again raced into a commanding 13-8 lead with Italy seemingly shell-shocked. The middle period saw points traded before Italy reeled off three points to drag the deficit to just two points at 16-14 but Australia once again took command of the latter end of the set with Thomas Edgar on song with his spiking and keeping the European side at bay to take a 25-18 second set win and a 2-0 lead.
The third set was a much more even affair as both teams traded breaks with Italy edging the early phases to lead 9-7. Both teams were fighting hard for their team's causes but it looked like it was Australia's day as they dented Italy's hopes of keeping the pressure on Brazil as they took a 17-15 lead. As it got to the business end of set three, the tactical timeouts slowed the game but it could not stop the Australian force as they completed a crushing 3-0 victory thanks to a third set 25-21 win.
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