Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 12, 2024 – Hosts Thailand and Indonesia outperformed Malaysia and Philippines respectively on Wednesday to finish top two of the single round-robin competition and set up much-anticipated final showdown of the 22nd “Princess Cup” Women’s U18 Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium.
The straight-set sweeps highlighted the Wednesday’s encounters, with formidable Thailand, the only team which have yet lost a set to their respective opponents, demolishing Malaysia 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-15). Indonesia powered past Philippines 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-19) and Australia outplayed winless Singapore 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 27-25).
After five-day action of single round robin, Thailand finished on top of the six-team standing with 15 points from five consecutive wins, while Indonesia came in second place with 12 points from four wins against one loss. Philippines had to be content with the third place with 9 points from three wins against two losses.
Australia and Malaysia respectively finished fourth and fifth places with 6 and 3 points, while winless Singapore have yet won a set to finish on bottom sixth place with no points earned.
With only top two teams after conclusion of the single round robin through to the Thursday’s showdown, the undefeated Thais and Indonesia will now battle it out for the eventual crown. Third-placed Philippines will take on fourth-placed Australia in the bronze-medal match, while fifth-placed Malaysia and bottom sixth-placed Singapore will contest the 5th-6th playoff clash.
On Wednesday, the decisive encounter between Philippines and Indonesia to determine the second-placed team saw the former succumb to straight-set loss to the stronger latter to finish the pool stage with a 3-2 win/loss record. The letdown, however, allowed Philippines another chance to challenge Australia, the team they had beaten earlier 3-1 on Tuesday, for a podium finish in the bronze-medal match on Thursday.
In the opening set, Indonesia relied on powerful attacks from opposite Azzahra Dwi Febyane and Junaida Santi to take a commanding 23-18 lead. Philippines tried hard to stage a late fightback, with Denesse Daylisan, Avril Denise Bron and Harlyn Serneche on fire with their combination attacks to narrow the margin 22-24.
However, the Indonesians blew the rivals’ comeback attempt away as Azzahra hammered an off-the-block kill for the Indonesia’s 25-22 win.
The onslaughts continued in the second set, which Indonesia raced to an early 8-1 lead. Philippines regrouped and bounced back bravely, but their determined effort did not pay its dividends as the rivals cruised on to take the second set 25-18.
Playing with their backs against the wall in the third set, Philippines regained their composure to lead 8-6. The relentless attacks from Santi, Tina Syifa Sabila Salim and Azzahra went on an impressive 13-5 run for Indonesia to advance 19-13. The rhythm remained with the Indonesians as they never looked back to capture the set 25-19 and match.
Junaida Santi scored a match-high 19 points from 15 kills, two blocks and two aces for Indonesia, while Azzahra Dwi Febyane and Tina Syifa Sabila Salim contributed 14 and 8 points respectively.
Opposite Jaila Adrao was the lone Filipina to reach double digits with 12 points from 11 attacks and one ace, while Denesse Daylisan added nine markers including six kills from 18 attempts.
In the second match, Australia, spearheaded by outside hitter Matisse Conlon, lived up to expectations to comfortably wrap up the first two sets 25-10, 25-11. In the third set,
Singapore hit back gallantly to take a narrow 8-6 lead and extended it to 21-18, thanks to Chia Yu-en Elizabeth’s back-to-back attacks.
The Australians did not give up easily and countered well with impressive attacks from Hilary Hannagan and Lucy Mullan. The more determination was handsomely rewarded as Australia caught the smaller-built rivals at 23-23 and continued their good show to seal the deal 27-25 for a straight-set sweep.
Matisse Conlon chipped in with 10 points from six attacks, one block and three aces for Australia, while Lucy Tunstall and Caitlin Clarke added eight points apiece. Chia Yu-en Elizabeth led Singapore with 10 points.
Meanwhile, Thailand, resting their best players including Supawadee Phanwilai, Sasikan Kanoiu and Atitaya Kaewnok in the first set and instead fielding substitutions, took the one-sided first set 25-13. Supawadee and Atitaya were sent in to strengthen the Thai team in the next two sets.
However, with Jia Hui Denise and Tian Ye Eunice attacking effectively, Malaysia took the lead with a four-point advantage at 11-7 and continued leading the way. Thailand bounced back mightily to level it at 16-16, 18-18, surge ahead the visitors 21-19 and remained in their good form to win the comeback set 25-20.
Conceding two sets on the trot, Malaysia still performed well up to their standard to lead 7-5 in the third set. The host side gradually pulled their game together to even the score at 9-9 and stormed on with their fine form to capture the set 25-15 and match.
Wisaruta Sengna delivered 14 points from 10 attacks, one ace and team-leading three aces for Thailand, with Supawadee Phanwilai and Thanita Aiamlaoo contributing 13 and 7 points respectively. No Malaysian player reached double digits in scoring against Thailand. Tian Ye Eunice scored 9 points, all from her attacks, on the team’s loss.
Thailand dominated in all elements to lead their opponents in kills (43 to 28), blocks (6 to 1), aces (7 to 2), while benefiting from more opponent errors (19 to 17).
On Thursday, the last day of the single round-robin event, Thailand and Indonesia set up final showdown. Philippines will take on Australia in the bronze-medal encounter, with Malaysia and Singapore contesting the 5th-6th playoff.
The six-day championship has served as a stepping stone for Australia, Philippines and hosts Thailand in their final preparation for the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship, set to be held at the same venue here from July 16 to 23.
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