Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 6, 2023 – Kazakhstan took the fifth place in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship after a 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-23) shutout of Korea in a closely-contested 5th-6th playoff battle at Chartchai Hall on Wednesday.
Sana Anarkulova scored a match-high 20 points from 17 attacks, 2 blocks and one ace for Kazakhstan, while Lee Seonwoo led Korea with 17 points including 15 attacks from 32 attempts.
Kazakhstan and Korea locked horns in a tight contest with both teams coming all out to play neck and neck. The score was hard-earned and either side left the opponents behind with more than two points from the very beginning.
As Sana Anarkulova, Kristina Belova and Kristina Anikonova led the Kazakhstan’s offense, Korea were strengthened by opposite hitter Lee Seonwoo, hard-hitting Kang Sohwi and skipper Park Jeongah. Leveling at 12-12, Anarkulova was on fire, overcoming the blockers with her exceptional attacks and joining forces with Tatyana Nikitina for solid blocks to help Kazakhstan tie the score again at 21-21. The Kazakhs still fared better on the home stretch to lead 24-21, needing one more point to take the hard-fought first set.
However, the Koreans struck back to win three points in a row to catch up with the tough rivals 24-24. Unfortunately, their fightback was short-lived as they could not maintain their fine form. A spike from Kang Sohwi went wide to gift Kazakhstan the set point and the mistake came again in her second attacking attempt which cost the team dear. Kazakhstan clinched the close set 26-24.
The second set became a similar script when Kazakhstan led all the way. The Koreans gradually recovered and caught up at 17-17, but the Korea’s intention to continue their gallant fight was denied as Kazakhstan cruised on to reach the set point at 24-21, thanks to Anarkulova’s terrific performance. Korea bagged two more points including one from a first-combo attack from Kang Sohwi. Kazakhstan still played cool under pressure to win the set 25-23.
Showcasing their excellent combination attacks and consistency, Kazakhstan took command in the third set to establish a narrow 11-9 lead before extending it to 20-19. However, Korea regained their composure and bounced back heavily to tie it at 22-22. Powerful attacks from Kazakhstan made the big difference in the rest of the set and brought in the break point the team needed to run away with the win. As skipper Park Jeongah fired a sizzling cross-court hit for the Korea’s reduced gap at 23-24, Sana Anarkulova overcame the smaller-blockers with her exceptional attack to completely end the Korea’s challenge.
Kazakhstan ended their 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship campaign in Nakhon Ratchasima in 5th position, while Korea, bronze medallists at the last two editions in 2017 and 2019, finished 6th place.
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