By Maryam Hessaby
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, October 3, 2021 – Saipa powered past Rebisco 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-13, 25-17) in their last preliminary clash of the 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at Terminal 21 Hall not only to claim their first win but also finish third in Pool B on Sunday.
Iran’s Super League champions Saipa and Rebisco from the Philippines had the similar performance with two successive losses and both teams came out in full force to vie for the better position in a crucial match to determine the third and fourth places in Pool B.
Powerful attackers Mona Ashofteh and Mahsa Kadkhoda came up with an excellent offensive combination to get Saipa off to a great start with the 26-24 win in the hotly-contested first set.
Holding 1-0 advantage, Saipa lost their touch in the second set, allowing Rebisco attacking opportunities and blocking spree which led the Philippine counterparts to the hard-fought win 25-22.
The Iran’s side established better quality of plays in the third set, as coach Maryam Sadat Hashemi shuffled her lineup on the court. Led by a brilliant all-round performance from Mahsa Kadkhoda, who sparked the offense from the flanks, Saipa regained their dominance to win comfortably 25-13, 25-17 in the following sets to completely end the Philippine challenge.
“We played very good today and we showed a better combination. Teamwork was the key to our today’s victory. This very first win takes place on a right time and we want it. Our next victory against Zhetysu can make our dream of joining the top four come true,” Mona Ashofteh, one of the Saipa’s key players, commented after the match.
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