Photos courtesy of Vietcontent
Japan’s PFU BlueCats, steered by Cuban-born Melissa Valdes, 185cm, continued their winning ways in the 14th VTV9-Binh Dien Cup International Women’s Volleyball Tournament after convincing straight-set win against HCDG Lao Cai at Buon Ma Thuot City Gym in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam on Sunday.
Against HCDG Lao Cai, another strong local team in Pool A, on Sunday, PFU, fresh from delivering a stunning upset 3-1 win against hosts VTV Binh Dien Long An in the Saturday’s curtain-raisers, made a solid start, showcasing their prowess with exceptional attacks from Valdes and Kisa Okuma and efficient blocks from Valdes. HCDG Lao Cai, cheered on by home fans of around 1,500 at the venue, tried to turn the tables on PFU, but the strong Japanese side held firm to take the first set 25-21.
The second set was tightly-contested when HCDG Lao Cai hit back, with Tran Tu Linh and Thai import Kuttika Kaewpin producing sharp attacks and the Japanese side counter-attacking well. Both sides were neck and neck and the score was leveled at 24-24 before PFU scored two points in a row to take the hard-fought set 26-24 for the commanding 2-0 lead.
In the third set, the 20-year-old Okuma, 173cm, and Valdes were on fire as the tandem combined well to puncture the home side’s defence apart with their exceptional attacks. HCDG Lao Cai countered with spikes and blocks, but their attempts did not work well. The visitors established a 22-13 lead and maintained control, allowing the home team one more point to capture the set 25-14 and match.
PFU had three players reaching double digits in scoring, with outside hitter Melissa Valdes leading the way with 25 points (21 kills, 3 blocks, one ace). Fellow outside hitter Kisa Okuma scored 12 points with 11 kills and one block. Aya Hosonuma completed the list with 11 points (9 kills, one block, one ace). Tran Tu Linh led HCDG Lao Cai with 11 points including 9 attacks and one block. Middle blocker Tran Thi Bich Thuy and outside hitter Kuttika Kaewpin added 8 points apiece for the team’s loss.
The other Pool A encounter saw hosts VTV Binh Dien Long An, strengthened by star spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy and Chinese import Chen Peiyan, survive a scare from the U20 Vietnam squad to beat the young rivals in tie-breaker 25-15, 18-25, 24-26, 25-17, 15-5.
Chen Peiyan scored a team-high 19 points from 18 kills and one block for VTV Binh Dien Long An, while Nguyen Thi Tra My and Lu Thi Phuong kept good company to…
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