Intro:

Unilever Volei got the Women's Club World Championship underway with a straight-sets, 25-14, 25-16, 25-22, win over Iowa Ice in Zurich on Wednesday (October 9).

Script:

The seventh edition of the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship got underway in Zurich on Wednesday.

South American champions Unilever Volei of Brazil had the honour of playing the opening match as they took on American side Iowa Ice.

The favourites from Brazil quickly took command.

A quick combination in the middle with 43-year old setter Fofao and middle blocker Juciely finished the first set 25-14 in

Unilever's favour. 19-year old Gabi contributed five winners for the South American team.

In the second set Iowa captain Megan Schipper and Brittney Brimmage sent some missiles through the Brazilian defence and

libero Devon Jensen did her best to stop the Brazilian offence.

However, Unilever kept the upper hand with solid net play and strong serves.

Serbian national team player Brankica Mihajlovic brought up set point at 24-16, before an Iowa error offered the Brazilians a well-deserved 2-0 set lead.

In the middle of the third set, Iowa had reduced the gap to one point (15-16).

Nevertheless, it was not good enough. Unilever kept calm as top scorer Juciely led the Brazilian team to a hard-fought 25-22 win.