GORBACHEVA STEERS KAZAKHSTAN TO 3-0 WIN AGAINST INDIA, 7TH PLACE AT THE 22ND ASIAN WOMEN’S U20 CHAMPIONSHIP

Jiangmen, China, July 8, 2024 – Kazakhstan settled for the 7th place in the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship following the straight-set triumph over India in their 7th-8th playoff matches at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium on Monday.

For Kazakhstan, it was a sweet revenge as at the previous edition two two years ago, Kazakhstan succumbed to bitter 2-3 loss to India in the 7th-8th playoff on home soil in Nur Sultan.

Outside hitter and skipper Sofiya Gorbacheva delivered 20 points from 16 kills and 4 aces for Kazakhstan, while opposite Ayaulym Turdykhanova and outside hitter Asel Kengesbekova added another 13 and 6 points respectively. Kavita chipped in 16 points from 11 kills and 5 aces on the India’s loss.

Kazakstan, which went down in straight sets to Chinese Taipei on Sunday, made a dismal start in the first set, which they trailed far behind 3-10, but shrugged off their rust to hit back and caught the Indians at 17-17, making use of powerful attacks from Gorbacheva and Turdykhanova.

After that, both sides played neck and neck down to the wire. Leveling at 21-21, Kazakhstan found themselves in the groove and played much better on offensive system, strengthened by the promising duo. Kazakhstan took the crucial lead with a three-point clear at 24-21 and Gorbacheva carried out an ace serve to stop the India’s good run in this set 25-21.

In the second set, Kazakhstan mixed their combination attacks from Gorbacheva and Tiurdykhanova and terrific jump serves by Gorbacheva and Balaussa Uldybay to lead India from start to finish. They raced to a 13-6 lead and widened it to 22-12. India tried hard to maintain their form, but they had poor reception with more attacking mistakes. Kazakhstan took the comfortable second set 25-17.

India fought back hard in the third set, with the 18-year-old outside hitter and skipper Kavita, who competed with the India senior national team in the AVC Challenge Cup early this year in Philippines, excelled in her attacks and service and helped her team to be hot on the Kazakhstan’s heels. After taking a narrow 21-20 lead, Kazakhstan cruised on to win four points in succession to capture the set 25-21, match and the 7th place. India returned with the 8th position this time.