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ROME, Italy, July 21. THE third day of water polo competition featured the second day of women's preliminary matches at the FINA World Championships held in Rome.
Greece began the day by doubling up Kazakhstan, 12-6. Antingoni Roumpesi and Angeliki Gerolimou each notched a hat trick for Greece, which went 12-for-30 from the field. Marina Gritsenko paced Kazakhstan with two goals, as the squad went 6-for-26.
Russia edged the U.S., 11-10, in the second match. Alena Vylegzhanina and Ekaterina Pantyulina both connected for hat tricks as Russia went 11-for-31 from the field. Moriah van Norman and Kameryn Craig each posted two goals as the U.S. converted on 10 of 23 shots.
Australia demolished South Africa, 23-2. Brionwen Knox (5/5) and Rowena Webster (4/4) account for nine of the goals with pinpoint shot accuracy for Australia as neither missed a shot. Overall, Australia connected on 23 of 39 shots for a 59 percent success rate. Sarah Harris scored both of South Africa's goals, which went 2-for-23.
Canada doubled up New Zealand, 12-6. Rosanna Tomiuk and Dominique Perreault each notched a hat trick en route to a 12-for-37 day for Canada. Kelly Mason collected a hat trick for New Zealand, as the squad went 6-for-28.
The Netherlands and Spain completed regulation time in a 15-15 tie. Iefke van Belkum shouldered the load for The Netherlands with seven goals, while Rianne Guichelaar hit the back of the net three times. The Netherlands converted 15 of 30 shots for a 50 percent success rate. Jennifer Pareja (4) and Ona Meseguer (3) each had a hat trick for Spain, which went 15-for-38 from the field.
The next match also featured a tie as Germany and Brazil finished the contest, 12-12. Claudia Blomenkamp and Mandy Zollner led Germany with three goals each as the team went 12-for-38 from the field. Camila Pedroza and Melina Teno also each scored a hat trick for Brazil, which converted 12 of 23 shots for a 52.2 percent success rate.
China smashed Uzbekistan, 28-6, in the following match. Sun Yu Jun and Sun Yating each collected five goals in the thrashing for China, as the squad went 28-for-37 for a 75.7 percent success rate. Six separate players completed hat tricks for China in the event. Natalya Plyusova notched three goals for Uzbekistan, which went 6-for-27.
In the final match of the day, Hungary cleared Italy, 8-5. Aniko Pelle paced Hungary with two goals, while the team went 8-for-28. Roberta Bianconi touched the back of the net two times for Italy, which went 5-for-27.