Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 13, 2024 – Thailand cemented their title credentials as the host side downed Indonesia in four-setter in the Thursday’s final clash to capture the 22nd “Princess Cup” Women’s U18 Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium here.
The dramatic 3-1 (25-19, 25-17, 24-26, 25-17) win in a repeated clash against Indonesia, the team they had already beaten in comfortable straight sets in the single round-robin preliminaries earlier, bode well for their final preparation and the bright prospect in the 15th Asian Women’s U18 Championship, which is set to take place at the same venue here from July 16 to 23 and serves as the qualification for the next year’s FIVB Girls’ U19 World Championship.
Earlier, Thailand completed the single round-robin competition with remarkable unbeaten record of not dropping a single set to their respective rivals, collecting a total of 15 points to finish on top of the six-team tournament, while Indonesia came in second place with 12 points from four wins against one loss. Philippines finished third with nine points from three wins against two losses. Australia, Malaysia and winless Singapore were placed fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.
With the top two teams after the single round robin through to the showdown, Thailand and Indonesia battled it out for the championship match on Thursday. Third- and fourth-placed teams, Philippines and Australia, contested the bronze-medal match, with fifth-placed Malaysia taking on sixth-placed Singapore for the fifth position of the tournament.
Against Indonesians in the Thursday’s final showdown, Thailand fielded a fully-fledged lineup led by the 185cm-tall outside hitter Supawadee Panwilai, Atitaya Kaewnok and Sasikan Kanoiu, while hard-hitting Junaida Santi and Azzahra Dwi Febyane orchestrated the Indonesian offense.
Thailand and Indonesia fought neck and neck in the opening set which saw the score leveled at 11-11. The host side combined their offensive mobility from powerful attacks from Supawadee and Sasikan with solid blocks by Nattharika Wasan and Sasithorn Jatta to break away for the commanding lead with a five-point clear at 23-18. Supawadee brought Thailand to the set point 24-18 with her swift two-handed push to an open spot on the rivals’ court, but Santi saved the day for Indonesia with her deadly spike. However, to make short work of the strong visitors, Thailand wrapped up the first set 25-19,…
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