Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 8, 2024 – Straight-set sweeps highlighted the opening day of the 22nd “Princess Cup” Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium here on Saturday, with Philippines demolishing Singapore in a completely lopsided affair.
The championship is being held from June 8 to 13 and serves as a springboard for teams to gain experience and exposure and improve the team tune-up before facing tougher task at the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Championship at the same venue here between June 16 and 23.
The first encounter between Philippines and Singapore saw the former perform much better to lead from start to finish, thanks to the combination attacks from middle blocker Lianne Penuliar and outside hitter Kimberly Chelmei Rubin. Philippines took the comfortable first set 25-14.
Singapore held their nerves and hit back in the second set, but still found the going get tough. Taking a commanding lead with a 11-point clear at 17-6, Philippines continued their winning way to score eight points in a row to easily wrap up the set 25-6, with opposite Julia Adrao delivering an off-speed shot to win the team’s last point.
The third set was still dominated by Philippines. Leveling at 2-2, the Filipinas flexed their muscles to win five points on the trot and never looked back from then on. Akeyla Bartolabac produced an ace serve in the last point for the Philippines’ 25-12 win in the set and match.
Kimberly Chelmei Rubin chipped in with 16 points from 11 attacks, one block and four aces for Philippines. No Singaporean player reached double digits in scoring against the rivals, with Chia Yu-En Elizabeth scoring 5 points on the team’s loss.
In the second match, Australia proved a cut above Malaysia to claim the first two sets without much effort 25-12, 25-18, utilizing their better offensive mobility from outside spiker Matisse Conlon and middle blockers Chelsea Cocks and Anni Tang.
Conceding two straight sets, Malaysia pulled their game together and bounced back in the third set, with skipper Ee Ling hitting some good shots. However, the rhythm remained with the Australian girls as outside hitter Rosie Alchin penetrated the Malaysian defence with her attacks. Australia captured the set 25-21 and match.
The last match of the day saw outside hitter Supawadee Panwilai score a match-high 17 points to help hosts Thailand get the campaign off to a good start with convincing straight-set win 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 against…
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