Bari, Italy, September 14, 2018 – Australia claimed their first victory at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2018 as they beat Cameroon 3-1 on Friday at PalaFlorio in Bari. Lincoln Williams helped the Volleyroos celebrate their first success in the tournament with a personal tally of 22 points.
Mark Lebedew, head coach of Australia: “This is an important victory for us in order to advance to the second round. We caught a nervous start in the first set with Cameroon showing a good game, but we managed to come back and lead in the best way we could. We have a great team, very skilled and efficient in all aspects of the game. I can rely on all of my players. Yesterday we played a good match as we did today, regardless of the line-up on the court in this clash. We are very self-confident, and we are not afraid of any opponent. We are ready to face all the teams in the next matchups in this pool and hopefully in the next round as well.”
Blaise Mayam Re Niof, head coach of Cameroon: “Australia is at a higher level than we are. During the match, we had some difficulties in setting and passing. Now we have to move on. I think that the United States and Australia are playing at the same level. During our rest day, we will prepare for the next match. We have to work step by step and one day we will be playing the same great volleyball as the one that United States play.”