CHINESE TAIPEI PREVAIL OVER THAILAND TO PICK UP BRONZE AT ASIAN WOMEN’S U16 CHAMPIONSHIP

Hangzhou, China, July 8, 2023 – Chinese Taipei clinched the third place and thus the remaining ticket to the next year’s FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship after a comfortable straight-set 25-18, 25-19, 25-9 victory against Thailand in the bronze medal match of the 2023 Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship at Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium on Saturday.

Left-handed outside hitter Chen Pin-Yu led Chinese Taipei to an early 4-2 edge in the first set, courtesy of her exceptional attacks. Thailand gradually put their acts together to level it at 5-5 before Chinese Taipei paced up to an 8-5 lead after a monster block. Thailand requested a timeout to improve their tactics, but they could not decelerate the opponents’ fine performance. Chinese Taipei broke away to lead with a nine-point clear at 17-8. Thailand reinforced their defense, especially through their blocking, to narrow the gap to 14-19. However, their service errors wasted their comeback effort. Following a terrific block and an attack winner by middle blocker Wu Tzu-Hua, Chinese Taipei wrapped up the first set 25-18.

In the second set, Chinese Taipei maintained their momentum to overcome the Thai defense with their spectacular attacks to lead 13-7. Thailand requested a timeout and their more determination worked out pretty well as they came near with just two points behind at 13-15. Chen Pin-Yu stood out again with her ace serve and powerful back-row attacks to help Chinese Taipei consolidate their advantage 19-14. Points briefly exchanged hands before Chinese Taipei found their rhythm and stormed on to seal the set 25-19, with Wu Tzu-Hua producing a lightning-fast spike to win the team’s last point.

The third set turned out to be one-way traffic. Holding 2-0 advantage, Chinese Taipei made a solid start in the set with an ace and a barrage of destructive spikes to jump to an incredible 9-0 lead. With such a wide margin of the gap, Chinese Taipei played more confidently and flexibly, featuring multi-dotted attacks and effective blocks. With their backs against the wall, Thailand tried to revive their fortunes, but still found it very difficult to earn points to go down a one-sided set 9-25.

“We expected to enter Top 3. My girls were under pressure. So we did not play well today and we lost the game,” said Thailand head coach Jarun Niemtubtim after the match.