Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, April 27, 2023 – Devastating Tran Thai Thanh Thuy and young talent Vi Thi Nhu Quynh methodically tore the Hasamitsu Springs’ defence into shreds with their spectacular attacks to steer hosts Sport Center 1 to dramatic 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15) win against the 2002 and 2014 champions in the Pool A clash of the 2023 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, much to the delight of home spectators packing the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium on Thursday.
The 193cm-tall Thanh Thuy, who tallied 39 points in the previous match against Iran’s Paykan, chipped in with 20 points including 17 attacks for the host side, while up-and-coming Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, 21, and Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh, 22, kept good company to add 19 and 17 points respectively. Outsider hitter Ayane Kitamado led Japan’s Hisamitsu Springs with 17 points including 14 attacks and 2 aces.
The Vinch Phuc Gymnasium was full to its capacity of 3,000-seater on Thursday as home fans thronged into the competition venue to show support for their favorite team.
In their first match earlier, Hisamitsu Springs succumbed to 2-3 loss to well-established Chinese Taipei’s King Whale Taipei the previous day, while Sport Center 1 cruised past Iran’s Paykan 3-2.
Sport Center 1 and Hisamitsu Springs started with the similar fashion in the first set, which saw both sides fight neck and neck making leads change hands from the very beginning. The Japanese side made use of exceptional attacks from Sae Nakajima and Mika Yoshitake, while the home team were spearheaded by the promising Thanh Thuy, who has been playing professionally with PFU Blue Cats in the Japanese League Division 1, Hong Thi Kieu Trinh and the 21-year-old sensation Vi Thi Nhu Quynh.
Hisamitsu Springs trailed 6-8, but the Vietnamese side, backed by the cheering home fans, bounced back to level it at 12-12 and went on their excellent teamwork, consistency and resilience to break away and take control.
The visitors held their nerves, but still found Sport Center 1 uncatchable. Thanh Thuy was on fire to unleash a series of spectacular attacks for the hosts’ back-to-back points. The Vietnamese delivered the set point at 24-19, handed the visitors one more point following the Tran Thi Bich Thuy’s erratic play at the net before a spike from Mika Yoshitake went wide. Sport Center 1 grabbed the first set 25-20.
Holding 0-1 disadvantage, Hisamitsu Springs brought in their improved tactics in the second set and led with a…
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