Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, May 25, 2017 – Home team Altay VC played in front of an SRO crowd at the Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace and survived the challenge of a smaller squad of Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power in the decider (21-25, 25-22, 25-19, 17-25,15-11) at the SMM 2017 Asian Women’s Club Samruk Kazyna Volleyball Championship on Thursday.
In the Group A encounter, Taiwan Power showed how they could match up against the tall lineup from Altay VC. The Chinese Taipei side defended well and carefully executed their plays, mostly favouring precise shots over powerful attacks.
Altay VC later found their offensive rhythm but mostly, found a way to stop Chinese Taipei’s attacks at the net. The Kazakh club amassed a total of 24 points off blocks, which proved important in crucial plays and rallies. Kristina Anikonova led the charge for Altay VC with 19 points, with Sana Anarkulova contributing another 17 markers.
Earlier in Group A, Thailand’s Supreme VC survived the tough challenge against Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank, 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23). The Thai side needed to deal with the Iranian club’s aggressive and powerful attacks and remarkable presence at the net. Supreme VC tried to address this with Fatou Diouck’s blocks. It was the Thai side’s careful orchestration of offence, good distribution of plays, and limited errors that eventually brought them to victory. Supreme VC’s Chatc’hu-on Moksri scored 14 points, with Genevieve Mann contributing another 13 markers.
On opening day’s first match, Japan’s Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs settled into a straight-set victory (25-17, 25-10, 25-14) against the Philippines’ Rebisco-PSL in Group B of the preliminary round. It was the Japanese side’s patented style of speedy offence that spelled the difference in the match. Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs’ setter Erika Sakae did a commendable job in enlisting her hitters in a nearly lightning-swift manner that caught the Philippines’ defenders unprepared. The Japanese side also provided firepower from the service line, scoring off five aces in the match.
Likewise in Group A, China’s Tianjin Bohai Bank bested Vietnam’s Vietin Bank 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-16). The Chinese side showed a powerful all-around game, picking up their points from the attacks of Zhang Xiaoting and captain Chen Liyi and also from the blocks of Wabg Ning. Tianjin Bohai Bank’s frontline delivered a total of 13 points off blocks, which demonstrated how they capitalised on their advantage in height against Vietin Bank.
The preliminary round continues on Friday, May 26, with the Philippines Rebisco-PSL playing against Vietnam’s Vietin Bank at 11:30 local time. Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power play Iran’s Sarmaye Bank at 14:00; Japan’s Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs go against China’s Tianjin Bohai Bank at 16:30. The final match for day two will feature Kazakhstan’s Altay VC against Thailand’s Supreme VC at 19:00.
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