8 Jul 2016

Sport: Vanuatu volleyballers make winning start

7:26 am on 8 July 2016

Vanuatu have made a winning start at beach volleyball's World Continental Cup finals in Russia.

The country's top pairing of Linline Matauatu and Miller Pata defeated Ukraine's Inna and Iryna Makhno 21-15, 21-17.

Linline Matauatu delivers the ball to Miller Pata of Vanuatu.

Linline Matauatu delivers the ball to Miller Pata of Vanuatu. Photo: FIVB

Loti Joe and Sherysyn Toko were then beaten in straight sets bt Valentyna Davidova and Ievgeniia Shchypkova.

That sent the match-up to a golden set, with Matauatu and Pata prevailing 15-6 against Inna Makhno and Shchypkova.

Vanuatu's next opponent in the pool stage is Colombia, who lost both of their opening matches against Austria.

The two pool winners will advance directly to the semi-finals in Sochi, with the winner of those matches qualifying for Rio.

Loti Joe delivers the ball to Sherysyn Toko.

Loti Joe delivers the ball to Sherysyn Toko. Photo: FIVB