Photos courtesy of Thailand Volleyball Association
Bangkok, Thailand, December 27, 2020 – Reigning three-time champions Supreme Chonburi E-Tech comfortably saw off lower-ranked Proflex VC in straight sets to remain the only unbeaten team in the women’s event in the Thailand Volleyball League 2020-2021 season at Nimibutr Gymnasium here over the weekend.
Supreme’s Ajcharaporn Kongyot on aggressive form
Against Proflex on Sunday, Supreme, former successive two-time Asian Women’s Club champions, went on their remarkable run in the Thailand’s top-level professional volleyball league. The team’s overwhelming dominance showcased through a fusion of skill and brute force unleashed on several powerful blows from Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Sutadta Chuawulim to help Supreme win the comfortable opening set 25-15.
Nonetheless, Proflex regrouped and hit back gallantly to level at 24-24 in the second set. Still, Supreme showed their greater experience and form to clinch the thrilling set 27-25. The third set was clearly dominated by the title-holders to capture the one-sided set 25-15 and match.
3BB Nakornnont’s Jutharat Montripila attacks
The second match on the same day saw 3BB Nakornnont rest many key players including Pimpichaya Kokrum and instead field the Boonlert sisters, Tichaya and Tichakorn, Jutharat Montripila and Russian Nizeva Evgeniia to steal the show with a convincing 3-0 (25-10 25-20 25-13) win against bottom side Samut Prakarn.
3BB Nakornnont’s Russian Nizeva Evgeniia
Earlier on Saturday, Diamond Food VC rested powerful Onuma Sitthirak and fielded veteran Malika Kanthong and Hattaya Bamrungsuk in their first set against unfancied RSU VC, to whom they went down 23-25.
Hoping to make amends for the disappointing first set, Diamond Food’s head coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul, who is now at the helm of the Thailand national women’s team, sent in Onuma in the following sets and their team gradually started to produce the goods.
Coach Danai Sriwacharamaytakul shares with his players good tips to play the opponents
Diamond Food, which suffered their first 2-3 loss at the hands of 3BB Nakornnont last week, shrugged off their unforced mistakes in the opening set to comfortably take the remaining three sets 25-13 25-10 25-17 for an eventual 3-1 victory.
In the other match on Saturday, Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC, spearheaded by talented Chutchu-on Moksri, Wanichaya Luangthonglang and Chitaporn Kamlangmak, lived up to coach Padejsuek Wannachote’s expectation.
Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC celebrate their win
Going down 1-3 to the mighty Supreme last week, Nakhon Ratchasima regained their composure in their match against unbeaten Khonkaen Star VC, powered by hard-attacking Kaewkalaya Kamulthala, who played professionally with JT Marvelous in Japan’s V. League in the previous season.
Nakhon Ratchasima performed superbly this time to hand Khonkaen Star VC the first loss in the competition as the former four-time champions cruised to an impressive 3-1 (25-16 25-19 21-25 25-9) win.
After three weeks, unbeaten Supreme stay atop the standing with 9 points from three straight wins, followed by Diamond Food with 7 points from two wins against one loss. Khonkaen Star VC and Nakhon Ratchasima are trailing in third and fourth places respectively with similar 6 points from two wins against one loss.
Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC will next take on Samut Prakarn on January 9, with Diamond Food and Supreme Chonburi E-Tech setting up a clash of the Titans. Khonkaen Star VC will play Proflex on Sunday, January 10, while RSU will challenge 3BB Nakornnont.
Diamond Food’s Kantapat Koonmee attacks Air Force
Meanwhile, against Air Force, the team they lost in the final showdown in 2018-2019 season, hot-favourites Diamond Food VC remained strong in their offensive lineup with the likes of former Thailand’s ace spiker Jirayu Raksakaew, two current Thailand national players Kissada Nilsawai and Kantapat Koonmee and two Brazilians, Luiz Perotto and Andre Luiz Queiroz Franca.
Diamond Food delighted with the win
Diamond Food, second place in the previous two seasons but the only team not losing a set to their respective rivals this time, made it three in a row on Saturday following their sensational 25-18 25-17 25-19 win against Air Force.
Wanchai Tabwises attacks Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana
Defending six-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC also did likewise. Powered by the previous season MVP Wanchai Tabwises, Nakhon Ratchasima brushed off Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana in thrilling three-setter 27-25 25-12 25-20.
On Sunday, Phitsanulok VC’s dreams of winning the first match in the tournament became reality. With promising Amornthep Konhan on fire throughout the game, Phitsanulok bounced back in style from losing 22-25 in the opening set against Prince VC to win the remaining sets 25-18 25-15 25-23.
Prince VC attacks on a Phitsanulok’s triple block
In the other match, Visakha proved a well-oiled machine as Thailand national player Kitsada Somkane spearheaded his majority of the team’s attacks, steering Visakha to a hugely impressive 3-0 (25-11 25-19 25-13) blitz over Kasetsart VC.
Kitsada Someone attacks Kasetsart
After three weeks, Diamond Food still captured the pole position with 9 points from three consecutive wins without losing a set. Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC are trailing closely in second place with 9 points from three successive wins, with Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana in third position with 5 points from two wins against one loss.
Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC will next play Kasetsart VC, with Diamond Food taking on Prince VC on Saturday, January 9. The following day sees Phitsanulok challenge Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana and Air Force go up against Visakha.
RESULTS
Saturday, December 26
Women
Diamond Food VC b RSU VC 3-1 (23-25 25-13 25-10 25-17)
Kakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC b Khonkaen Star VC 3-1 (25-16 25-19 25-21 25-9)
Men
Diamond Food VC b Air Force VC 3-0 (25-18 25-17 25-19)
Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC b Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana 3-0 (27-25 25-12 25-20)
Sunday, December 27
Women
Supreme Chonburi E-Tech b Proflex VC 3-0 (25-5 27-25 25-15)
3BB Nakornnont b Samut Prakarn (25-10 25-20 25-13)
Men
Phitsanulok VC b Prince VC 3-1 (22-25 25-18 25-15 25-23)
Visakha VC b Kasetsart VC 3-0 (25-11 25-19 25-13)
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