Photos courtesy of Thailand Volleyball Association
Bangkok, Thailand, March 10, 2021 – All mid-week encounters in the second stage of the on-going Thailand Volleyball League 2020-2021 season ended in comfortable straight sets, with Diamond Food handing Khonkaen Star VC the second loss in the six-team, round-robin contest.
With the convincing straight-set win in two successive matches, Diamond Food moved atop the women’s standing with a perfect record and six points, leaving Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC to come in a close second place with similar six points. Diamond Food fared better by not dropping a set in their first two matches, while Nakhon Ratchasima lost one set to Supreme Chonburi E-Tech despite the stunning victory over the title-holders last weekend.
In the opening match at Nimibutr Gymnasium on Wednesday, Diamond Food, which claimed their first three points from the straight-set win over lower-ranked Proflex VC on March 6, fielded a formidable lineup led by ace spiker Onuma Sittirak, Malika Kanthong and Jarusporn Bundasak in their tougher contest against Khonkaen Star VC.
The first set was one-way traffic, with Khonkaen Star VC simply blown away by a fierce Diamond Foods’ barrage, with Onuma and Malika too powerful from spike range. As Diamond Food proved a side packed with talent and skill, Khonkaen Star VC too often suffered from errors and a lack of communication when the going got tough. Diamond Food took the easy set 25-15.
Khonkaen Star, which succumbed to straight-set loss in their opening second leg match against 3BB Nakornnont on March 7, came roaring back in the next two sets through the spectacular attacks from Kannikar Thipachote and Kaewkallaya Kamulthala, but strong with the likes of highly-experienced setter Nootsara Tomkom and excellent teamwork, Diamond Food powered past the embattled rivals 25-21, 25-21 for the eventual 3-0 win.
Onuma Sittirak chipped in with 21 points for Diamond Food, while Kannikar Thipachote led the losing side with 14 points.
The second encounter between former four-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC, fresh from stunning defending champs Supreme Chonburi E-Tech 3-1 in their first match on March 6, and 3BB Nakornnont saw the former work as a well-oiled machine. Tall and towering Yeliz Basa from Turkey was on the board immediately and followed up powerful spikes moments later to ominously stamp her authority early in the contest, which saw Nakhon Ratchasima run away with the first set win 25-16.
3BB Nakornnont, spearheaded by Thailand national player Pimpichaya Kokrum and hard-attacking Kattika Kaewpin, fought back hard in the second set. Still, Nakhon Ratchasima remained in superb form to win this highly-anticipated set 25-21.
With sensation Chutchu-on Moksri and Basa unleashing powerful attacks and the 1.84m-tall Chitaporn Kamlaimak blocking everything at the net, Nakhon Ratchasima captured the commanding lead 24-11 in the third set. Coach Phadetsuek Wannachote decided to rest his best players and replace them with substitutions.
As 3BB Nakornnont started to produce the goods for a comeback by gaining back-to-back points, Nakhon Ratchasima completely ended the rivals’ challenge with a scintillating block to win the set 25-16 and match.
Turkey import Yeliz Basa scored a match-high 27 points for Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC and Chuchu-on Moksri added 15 points for the winning side.
On Saturday, March 13, Khonkaen Star VC will challenge title-holders Supreme Chonburi E-Tech, with Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC playing Proflex and Diamond Food taking on 3BB Nakornnont the following day.
In the men’s competition, Phitsanulok VC sealed two wins in a row in the second leg of the Thailand League this season. Amornthep Konhan played a key role with his brilliant individual display to guide Phitsanulok, which claimed their first win over Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana on March 7, to an exceptional 25-18, 25-23, 25-22 win against Air Force VC.
Amornthep Konhan chipped in with 18 points for Phitsanulok, while Phusit Phonarin also bagged similar 18 points for the losing side.
Air Force VC will next take on Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana on Saturday, March 13 and Phitsanulok will go up against defending and six-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC on the same day.
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