Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, April 27, 2023 – Khuvsgul Erchim became the Mongolia’s first team-ever in the history of the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship since the tournament inception in 1999 and the debutantes’ impressive 3-1 win against Hip Hing VC from Hong Kong, China on Thursday was some thing they could be proud of in the 2023 edition at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium here.
Both teams have yet won a match in the eight-day championship in Vinh Phuc and had their fingers crossed that the possible win in their match on Thursday would be a real taste of first win in this continent’s top-tier club championship.
Khuvsgul Erchim VC had already succumbed to two straight losses comprising 0-3 to Liaoning Donghua and another 0-3 to Altay, while Hip Hing VC from Hong Kong, China went down in straight sets to the much stronger Diamond Food, the former consecutive two-time Thailand League winners.
Hip Hing VC started a five-points series in the opening set which included impressive attacks from opposite Chim Wing Lam and outside hitter Pang Wang Lam to lead 5-0 before Khuvsgul Erchim hit back. Khandsuren Gantogtokh joined forces with Bayanjargal Jigjidkhorol and Ninjbolor Battur to unleash some good stuffs with a lot of power and enthusiasm, closing out the gap at 15-15.
Still, Hip Hing had enough to hold them off with attacks, blocks and effective drops to take the commanding lead with a six-point advantage at 24-18. The Mongolians saved four set points before going down 22-25 in the set after outside hitter Pang Wing Lam landed a good shot in the mid court.
Conceding one-set deficit, Khuvsgul Erchim recovered from their dismal start in the first set and stormed back with more aggressive attacks and cross-court drops. The Mongolians took the initial 4-1 lead, then stretched it to 11-4 and never allowed the opponents any comeback attempt. Khuvsgul Erchim cruised on to win a totally lopsided battle 25-9 and level it at 1-1.
The third set was still dominated by Khuvsgul Erchim as Hip Hing were prone to their unforced attacking and receiving mistakes. Leading 16-9, the Mongolians maintained their poise, tightened their defence and attacked relentlessly. As Hip Hing put up with a good fight, Khuvsgul Erchim mixed the offensive mobility from impressive attacks from Khongorzul Gan-Ochir and Bayanjargal with Khandsuren’s fast spikes to win the set 25-20.
Hip Hing went all-out with their backs against the wall in the fourth set. They started strongly to lead with wide margin 6-1, but their good show did not last long as Khuvsgul Erchim gradually pulled their game together and hit back in style to catch them at 11-11. Afterwards, the Mongolians found their rhythm, took control and went on their attacks to surge ahead the Hong Kong, China side 14-11, widen it to 19-14 before winning 25-17.
Khongorzul Gan-Ochir contributed 16 points including 14 attacks for Khuvsgul Erchim, while Ninjbolor Battur and Enkhkhuslen Purevsuren added 13 apiece. Chim Wing Lam led Hip Hing VC with 18 points including 16 attacks.
After winning the match, Khuvsgul Erchim head coach Kherlen Batdorj expressed her great delight, citing that the biggest credit for the team’s success goes to all her players.
“Hip Hing and Khuvsgul Erchim play in the same level. My team trained very hard and tried our best to win this match. Actually, we trained hard for 6 months in preparation for this championship. We are very happy to learn that this is the first victory of Mongolia in the history of Asian Women’s Club Championship. I have to thank to all my players for their best efforts . We next play Diamond Food from Thailand. They are very strong team and to play them, we have to reduce our own unforced mistakes.”
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