Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, May 30, 2017 – Thailand’s Supreme VC and Japan’s Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs secured the coveted finals slots at the SMM 2017 Asian Women’s Club Samruk Kazyna Volleyball Championship, as they defeated their respective semi-finals opponents at the Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace on Tuesday.
Supreme VC picked up the first finals berth by beating China’s Tianjin Bohai Bank 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 24-26, 25-23). Pleumjit Thinkaow and Genevieve Mann provided a powerful game at the middle, while Chatchu-on Moksri and Fatou Diouck struck from the wing. All four players figured in double digits as setter Soraya Phomla ran a tight offence that outlasted their Chinese opponents.
Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs were the second team to qualify after a nail-biting 3-2 match (18-25, 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 16-14) against hosts Altay VC. Akane Ukishima suited up from the bench and amassed 26 points. Starter Yuka Imamura added another 21 points. Apart from their quick reflexes in defence and their speedy offence, the Japanese side capitalised on powerful service and scored a total of 10 aces.
Earlier, Iran’s Sarmayeh Bank defeated the Philippines Rebisco-PSL in straight sets (25-23, 25-17, 29-27) to earn the right to play for fifth place. Maedeh Borhani, Mahdien Khaje Kolaei, and Farnoosh Sheikhi comprised Iran’s strong frontline, and scored double-digits. Sarmayeh Bank posted solid defence at the net and connected with 12 blocks in the match.
Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power likewise emerged victorious in the playoff for 5th to 8th places against Vietnam’s Vietin Bank. The Chinese Taipei side won in straight sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-17) with Huang Ching-Hsuan scoring 15 points, and captain Chang Li-Yun helping with 10 more points.
The final day of competition on Wednesday, May 31, begins with Vietin Bank playing Rebisco-PSL for seventh place at 09:30 local time. Taiwan Power will play Sarmayeh Bank for fifth place at 12:00. The bronze medal match between Tianjin Bohai Bank and Altay VC will start at 14:30. The championship match between Supreme VC and Hisamitsu Seiyaku Springs starts at 17:00.
The eventual title-holders will qualify as Asian champions in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in 2018.
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