Latvia U18 Women's Volleyball Team Loses to Greece but Shows Progress Ahead of European Championship
Latvia's U18 women's volleyball team lost 0-3 to Greece in a friendly match, but demonstrated improved serving and stability before the European Championship in Riga.
Ahead of the European U18 Championship scheduled from July 1 to 12 in Riga, Latvia's junior women's volleyball team played a friendly match against Greece on Sunday at the Rimi Olympic Center, losing 0-3 (16:25, 21:25, 23:25). Although the Latvian players took the lead several times, they ultimately had to concede defeat.
Head coach Arvils Keišs noted that the team served significantly better than in previous matches and showed greater stability throughout the game. Although they occasionally failed to hold onto their lead, there were no major dips in performance. The coach also highlighted that for the first time they could play with nearly a full squad, as health issues had previously limited player availability. This allowed testing different lineups and understanding which players excel in serving and blocking.
Top scorer for Latvia was Alise Armale with 11 points, while Adriana Bukovska and Justīne Rēdliha each added 10 points. Elza Skalbe contributed seven points, including four aces in the early stages of the second set that sparked an 11-2 run. She noted that team chemistry was better than in the previous match and that the improvement in serving came from focused training. Skalbe hopes to replicate that euphoric feeling during the championship.
At the European U18 Championship, Latvia's group includes Poland, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Spain, Czech Republic, and Iceland. The other group will compete in Šiauliai, Lithuania, while the decisive matches will be held in Riga.
