Hanoi, Vietnam, July 21, 2019 – Chen Tzu-Ya’s brilliant individual display guided Chinese Taipei to hard-fought 3-2 (25-20 21-25 23-25 27-25 15-11) win against Kazakhstan to finish a well-earned fifth place at the 3rd Asian Women’s U23 Volleyball Championship at the Gia Lam Gymnasium here on Sunday.
The 177cm-tall Chen Tzu-Ya scored a match-high 34 points from 30 attacks, 2 blocks and 2 aces for Chinese Taipei, while Kristina Belova led Kazakhstan with 19 points.
Kazakhstan finished fifth at the previous edition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand two years ago and they just want, at least after missing their target of finishing among top four, maintain their fifth position they had won. On the other hand, Chinese Taipei had already dropped from their best-finish of fourth place in Nakhon Ratchasima and here in Hanoi, the young Chinese Taipei, whose average age is 19 years old, battled it out with Kazakhstan for the 5th place.
Chinese Taipei fielded a young squad with promising future. Under Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s guidance, they are preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Led by ace spiker Chen Yzu-Ya and Lo Yi-Ching, small-built with the height of 160cm but high-jumping and hard-attacking, Chinese Taipei took advantage when the opponents’ nerves began to fray. With Chen unleashing a barrage of thundering attacks, Lo produced terrific jump serves and sharp blows to help Chinese Taipei claim the first set 25-20.
It remained a tough battle in the second set, which Kazakhstan still excelled in attacks to stay clear with 18-15 lead, while Chinese Taipei responded well to eventually come through, thanks to well-placed serves by Liu Yu-Chun. However, as the Kazakhs were leading 22-19, Chinese Taipei suffered second-set lapses. Kazakhstan stretched it to 24-20 before an effective drop from Kristina Belova ended the rivals’ challenge in the set. Kazakhstan bagged the set 25-21.
Kazakhstan grew in confidence after the set win and they went on their fine form in the third set. Trailing 1-4 from the very beginning of the set, Kazakstan gradually pulled their game together. They caught up with Chinese Taipei at 8-8, but dropped again when the rivals bounced back with exceptional attacks from Chen Yzu-Ya and Wen Yi-Chin. To revive their fortunes, Kazakhstan replaced Belova with left-hander Zhanna Syroyeshkina. From then on, the on-going contest became more competitive as both teams fought it all out. Kazakhstan captured the hotly-contested set 25-23.
In the fourth set, Chinese Taipei made a strong start to lead 4-0, but Kazakhstan gradually clawed their way back to overtake the spirited rivals, with Belova and Ekaterina Mikhailova too powerful from spike range. Belova continued to notch crucial points, as Chinese Taipei tried hard to cope well with the Kazakh tactics and techniques. Their determination paid off handsomely when they won the thrilling set 27-25, forcing the strongly-built Kazakhs into tie-breaker.
Chinese Taipei remained on red-hot form in the deciding set to lead Kazakhstan all the way to win the set 15-11, match and the fifth place. Kazakhstan left the competition venue in disappointment with a below-par sixth place.
Related links of AVC
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: https://twitter.com/avcvolley
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation