Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC celebrate their victory over Air Force VC.
Bangkok, Thailand, December 13, 2020 – Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC and Supreme Chonburi E-Tech, respective men’s and women’s champions in the previous season, got their title defence in the 2020-2021 Thailand Volleyball League at Nimibutr Gymnasium off to winning starts.
The Thailand Volleyball League, the top-level professional league in Thailand, will be held on weekends in both men’s and women’s events, with the opening day of the single round-robin preliminaries taking place on Saturday, December 12.
Nakhon Ratchasima’s Jakkrit attacks Air Force.
Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC celebrate their point won.
In the men’s event, Nakhon Ratchasima, defending and six-time champions, tasted their first victory on Sunday when talented Wanchai Tabwises, Jakkrit Chandahuadong and Kittipong Suksala performed superbly in joining forces to power past former two-time winners Air Force VC in thrilling four-setter 25-16 28-30 25-22 25-19 to bag the first three points this season.
Diamond Food’s Kissada Nilsawai leaps to attack Phitsanulok.
Diamond Food’s Luiz Perotto from Brazil spikes past Phitsanulok defenders.
Hot favourites Diamond Food VC, which finished second in the previous season, but came back much stronger this time with the likes of two imports, Luiz Perotto and Andre Luiz Queiroz Franca from Brazil, also proved they are one of the strongest teams to be reckoned with this season following their sensational straight-set 26-24 25-22 25-15 win against Phitsanulok VC, which clinched the title in the 2015-2016 season.
Diamond Food VC celebrate their victory.
Earlier on Saturday, Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana GS Samutsakhon came from behind to beat Visakha in hard-fought five-set thriller 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 16-14, while Prince VC pulled off an impressive 3-1 (25-15 21-25 25-17 25-19) victory against Kasetsart VC.
Next Saturday, Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC will face Prince VC and Phitsanulok will take on Air Force. The following day sees Diamond Food pit their expertise with Visakha and Kasetsart VC play Mor Asia Koh Kood Cabana.
In the women’s event, four strong teams made their marks in the first weekend following their blistering 3-0 wins against their respective opponents.
On Saturday, reigning and three-time champions Supreme Chonburi E-Tech, spearheaded by a superb trio of Thailand national players Pleumjit Thinkaow, Wipawee Srithong and Ajcharaporn Kongyot, faced no issue in breezing past Samut Prakarn in comfortable straight sets 25-16 25-10 25-13.
Supreme are all smiles after winning a crucial point in their match against Samut Prakarn.
With the brilliant start, Supreme remained the strongest contenders for the title this season as they had already captured the Asian Women’s Club Championship title for two times in a row in 2017 and 2018 in Kazakhstan and took silver medal last year in Tianjin, China.
Gifted Kaewkallaya Kamulthala-led Khonkaen Star VC, silver medallists in the previous season, did not let their supporters down after cruising to a straight-set 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 win against 3BB Nakornnont, strengthened by Thailand national player Pimpichaya Kokram.
Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC celebrate their victory over RSU.
On Sunday, former four-time champions Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC, led by hard-attacking Chutchu-on Moksri, outclassed RSU VC in straight sets 25-11 25-9 25-15.
RSU try to defend an attack from Chutchu-on.
Crowd favourites Diamond Food VC, with powerful Onuma Sittirak dangerous from spike range, opened up their campaign on a positive note. With the wind in their sails, Diamond Food sealed the deal in their opening encounter with a straight-set 25-14 25-18 25-18 victory against Proflex VC.
Star spiker Onuma Sittirak leads Diamond Food’s challenge.
Supreme go up against Nakhon Ratchasima The Mall’s VC and Proflex take on RSU next Saturday, with Diamond Food playing 3BB Nakornnont and Samut Prakarn challenging Khonkaen Star the following day.
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