- Game four: Chile 3 (25-14, 25-16, 31-29) New Zealand 0 at Concepcion
- Watch a full replay of game four
The Volley Blacks pushed Chile hard again in the third set, in their second game at Concepcion in two days.
After conceding the first two sets 26-14 and 25-16, the two teams could not be separated right through the third set, going point for point well into the set. The team were able to show they could match Chile at times, and are working hard to meet that standard more consistently.
"There were some points of real promise and glimmers of excellence," said the Volley Blacks' Sam Hodges. "We've taken a lot of strategies we've talked about off the court and implemented them into the game, trying to find that rhythm and those connections and really make a bigger impact on the games to come."
Johann Timmer and Mana Placid were again huge at the net and clinical when it mattered, but some missed serves at crunch times cost the Volley Blacks once more late in the third set.
"We had a great team talk before the match and looked to try and change strategies, but unfortunately we couldn't get the result we wanted today," said Sam Hodges, who is enjoying the experience of being on tour.
"Although it's tiring, we've learned a lot with the back to back matches, just constant reps day in day out, including a training in the morning and even a gym session. We're learning a lot. You have to try and get sleep and naps in when you can, we do our best but it's tricky! But life on the road is fantastic, it's a crazy switch up from life back home!"
Chile lead the tour matches 4-0, with the next game happening at 12pm on Thursday 20 July NZ time.
