Bulgaria's Tsvetan Sokolov looks to hit the ball over the block of Australia's Jacob Guymer (2) and Paul Carroll (17).
Dallas, USA July 3, 2016 – It is only fitting that the very last pool play match of the 2016 FIVB World League between two teams without a win went five sets as Bulgaria made it past Australia, 25-20, 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 16-14 on Sunday at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Arena.
Bulgaria finishes World League pool play with a 1-8 record while Australia’s final record is 0-9.
Bulgaria seemed well on its way to winning the fourth set at 21-17, when Australia came back with a 3-0 run behind server Paul Carroll. A spike by Australia’s Travis Passier tied the score at 22-22. A Bulgaria error made it 24-22. After an Australian service error, a Carroll attack brought the Volleyroos back.
Neither team gained a clear advantage in the fifth set. The score was tied 14-14 when Australia served into the net and Todor Skrimov followed with his 17 spike of the match to give Bulgaria the victory.
Skrimov finished with 23 points as did teammate Tsvetan Sokolov. Carroll led all scorers with 31 points on 28 spikes, one block and two aces.
Bulgaria won the serving battle with 11 aces to Australia’s three. It also led in digs 49-39. The Aussies were the better blockers, 13-9. The teams were almost tied in spikes, with Australia leading 63-62, but Bulgaria scored 28 points on Australian errors while committing 23.