Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, April 29, 2023 – Determined Diamond Food Fine Chef-Air Force achieved their initial target of making it to the semifinals following their comeback 3-1 win against Liaoning Donghua in their last preliminary Pool B clash in the 2023 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium on Saturday.
Sasipaporn Janthawisut chipped in with 23 points including 21 attacks and one ace for Diamond Food, while Serbian Natasa Cikiriz and Kanjana Kuthaisong added 17 and 13 points respectively. Lin Xinyu led Liaoning Donghua with 18 points including 16 attacks.
The terrific 23-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-17 win assisted the Thai team to overtake the Chinese outfits to the top of Pool B. However, both teams secured their berths in the semifinals of this topflight club championship.
It was a closely-contested battle from the very beginning of the first set when both sides came out in full force. Liaoning Donghua, whose height average is 184cm against the rivals’ 175cm, led initially 6-4 before Diamond Food hit back to level it at 7-7. After that, the Thai team found their touch to forge ahead the Chinese side to lead with a 3-point clear at 12-9.
Both sides poured everything they had to win the set, making the on-going game even more exciting. The Thai team fared better to lead 22-20, with Serbian Natasa Cikiriz, 193cm, using her height advantage to attack powerfully at the net and Wipawee Srithong and Sasipaporn Janthawisut producing thundering cross-court spikes. However, Liaoning Donghua bounced back swiftly. Shi Bingtong proved a major force for Liaoning Donghua as she scored the Chinese side’s last five points in a row in the set, allowing the Thai team only one point from a Wipawee’s powerful attack. Liaoning Donghua took the hard-fought first set 25-23.
The second set remained competitive with both sides trading aggressive attacks. Diamond Food used the excellent offensive combination from tall Natasa’s thundering attacks and solid blocks by Kaewkalaya Kamulthala and Natasa. Leading commandingly 17-12, the Thai team dropped their rhythm, allowing Liaoning Donghua a strong comeback. Shi Bingtong and Sun Xizoxuan combined well for spectacular attacks to help the Chinese score four back-to-back points for the narrow gap 16-17.
As Lin Xinyu carried out a powerful attack to help Liaoning Donghua even it at 23-23, Natasa attacked to the back court to deliver the set point at 24-23. It became more thrilling when both…
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