9/7/03

Acevedo shines as Puerto Rico falls twice at World Under-20 Volleyball Championships

	Dariam Acevedo

SUPHAN BURI, Thailand - University of Texas sophomore volleyball player Dariam Acevedo (Trujillo Alto, P.R./Univ. of Oregon) and the Puerto Rican national volleyball team dropped their first two games at the 12th International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women's U-20 World Volleyball Championships, falling to Korea (3-0) and to Belarus (3-1) in pool play. Acevedo has excelled in the competition, recording a total of 18 kills and 19 points in the team's two matches.

In the team's first match on Friday, Sept. 6, the Puerto Ricans played evenly with the Koreans through the first game, but eventually fell, 25-20, when Korea regrouped with successive kills to take the game. The Korean team remained strong in the final two games, winning 25-18 and 25-13. Acevedo was the Puerto Rican team's top scorer in the match, recording 10 points, which included eight kills.

Against Belarus on Saturday, Sept. 7, Puerto Rico won the opening game, 25-20, before dropping the next three games and the match. The Puerto Ricans rallied from a 6-1 deficit in the first game to take a 20-18 lead. The team held off a strong challenge from Belarus, but held on for the game with two kills by Karina Ocasio. The Belarus team used its height advantage in the final three games to limit the Puerto Ricans' chances and defeated them, 25-10, 25-9 and 25-22 in the last three games. Acevedo recorded eight kills in the match. She is one of only four members of the Puerto Rican team to play and start every game of the tournament so far.

The Puerto Rican team will conclude pool play on Monday, Sept. 8, against Russia. Fans can follow the tournament, including viewing live scoring, at the tournament's official Web page.

Acevedo is expected to return to UT in time for the start of the Big 12 Conference season on Wednesday, Sept. 17, when the Longhorns host Iowa State at 7 p.m. in Gregory Gym.