THAILAND OFF TO WINNING START IN 22ND ASIAN SENIOR WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 30, 2023 – Thailand delighted home fans at the 5,000-seater Chartchai Hall with their sensation 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-22) win against Australia in their preliminary Pool A clash of the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship on Wednesday.

Sasipapron Janthawisut and Chatchu-on Moksri scored 9 points apiece for Thailand, while Thanacha Sooksod added another 8 points for the team. Rebecca Redgen topscored for Australia with 10 points including 8 attacks from 16 attempts.

Against Australia, Thailand fielded a strong lineup in the first set led by Thatdao Nuekjang, Chatchu-on Moksri and Sasipapron Janthawisut. Spectacular attacks from Chatchu-on and Sasipapron helped Thailand to an initial 14-10 lead. With both key players on fire, Thailand stretched it to 23-13 and allowed Australians only one more point from Emma Burton’s attack to take the comfortable set 25-14.

Thailand shuffled their lineup in the second set, with another six players replacing the first lineup. The host team dominated the set, with Ajcharaporn Kongyot puncturing the Australian defence into shreds with her exceptional attacks. Leading with a 9-point advantage at 24-15, Thailand cruised on to take the set 25-16.

In the third set, Thailand raced to a 14-8 lead before the visitors reacted with back-to-back attacks to narrow the gap at 17-15. The competition intensified in some moments when the Australians caught up with the host side at 20-20. It was not the Thais making the abundant unforced errors as the hosts powered on to extend the lead to two points at 24-22. A powerful first-tempo kill by Sasipapron put an end to the match at 25-22 for the Thailand’s eventual 3-0 win.

“We played according to the system we had planned. However, despite the win, we still had some weak points and mistakes we had made today to improve for our next games. We hope to play better and better,” Ajcharaporn commented.