Top seed Fiji White recorded wins during pool play at the Oceania Beach Volleyball Championship at Smugglers Cove Resort in Nadi yesterday.

Fijian pair of Inia Korowale and Qilu Elliot who earlier upset Australia on Wednesday to claim the Zonal Championship demolished Fiji Red (Fuata Sikiti/Petero Uluilakeba) in two straight sets (21-13, 21-16), and later won by default over Solomon Islands.

“The win today is a big boost for us heading into the rest of the Oceania Championship pool matches,” said skipper Korowale.

“We worked hard for this competition and planned our strategies well. We expect tough competition from teams such as Australia, PNG that have come out strong with the intention to win but we stuck to our guns.”

He added the conditions were a bit tough but they stuck to their game plan.

“We and the rest of the Fijian taeams are looking forward to a better performance in the Oceania Championship.”

Fiji Red earlier beat Fiji Black (Malai Tuifagalele/Raymond Stoddart Jnr in two straight set (21-15, 21-16), Fiji Blue (Mitieli Naborisi/Sikeli Tuwai) lost to Australia 2-0 (21-11, 21-12) and bounced back to beat Tuvalu A 2-0 (19-21, 17-21),

Favourites Vanuatu and Australia women’s teams are off to a winning start as in the opening round Vanuatu won the Fiji Open and Central Zonal Championships defeated Fiji Black by two straight sets (21-9, 21-10).

Australia which finished runner-up in the earlier two tournaments defeated Fiji Blue 2-0 (21-11, 21-8).

However, Fiji White (Claire Delai/Iliseva Ratudina) beat Tuvalu 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) and hopes to keep their chances alive.

Edited by Osea Bola

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