Press release

Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, June 23, 2011– The quarterfinals of the 2011 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship wrapped up on Thursday with straight-sets victories from defending champions Chang of Thailand as well as teams from China, Kazakhstan and host country Vietnam.

Chinese Tianjin Bridgestone toppled the Philippines’ Shakeys 25-12, 25-14, 25-17.

The Chinese team relied on its tall line-up to easily deflect their opponents’ attacks. The 185-cm Zhang Xiaoting led the Chinese in scoring with 15 points. The Philippines team have yet to win in the tournament, but Shakeys head coach Sinfronio Acaylar remains positive. “This is more of an exposure for our newly formed team in preparation for the Souteast Asian Games in Indonesia. Although they lost their games, I can see that they improved,” said Acaylar. 

Kazakhstan’s Zhetyssu seized victory over Kensyokai Red Hearts of Japan 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-12). The Kazaks maintained a high degree of efficiency with their attacks from Olga Nassedkina and Lyudmila Anarbayeva. It also helped Zhetyssu’s cause that the Kazaks had a much taller line-up compared to the Japanese. The Kazaks scored a total of 19 points on their blocks, seven of which came from Nassedkina. 

The defending champions from Thailand likewise won in straight sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-12) against Iran’s Perspolisse. The Chang club team remained tenacious in its offence, with Nootsara Tomkom vigilantly setting plays for her hitters. Wanitchaya Luangtonglang proved to be the big scoring story for the Thais with 15 points. The 177-cm spitfire from Chang showed a variety of moves as she fired from all possible sides of the court. The Thais’ captain, Wilavan Apinyapong, likewise delivered a double digit contribution of 13 points. 

Thongtinlienviet Bank of host country Vietnam vanquished Garuda of Indonesia 25-13, 25-4, 25-19 in the evening’s final match.Vietnamese hitter Yen Pham Thi played solid offence and defence, scoring eight points from her attacks and another five from her blocks. Team captain Hue Pham Kim continued to work scoring wonders for Thongtinlienviet Bank by contributing 10 points herself. The Vietnamese showed no mercy and they held the Indonesians to a single-digit score in the second set.  Garuda toiled to keep its hopes alive by persevering on long rallies, but the

Vietnamese had more momentum going as they sealed their fourth straight victory in the tournament.

The team from Vietnam will take on Thailand's Chang in the semifinals on Friday at the Vinh Phuc Gym. Immediately after, Tianjin will face Zhetyssu in the other semifinal.

Quarterfinal results

Tianjin Bridgestone (CHN) bt. Shakeys (PHI) 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-17)

Zhetyssu (KAZ) bt. Kensyokai Red Hearts (JPN) 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-12)

Chang (THA) bt. Perspolisse (IRI) 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-12)

Thongtinlienviet Bank (VIE) v Garuda (INA) 3-0 (25-13, 25-4, 25-19)

Playoffs

5th-8th

Shakeys (PHI) vs. Kensyokai Red Hearts (JPN)

Garuda (INA) vs. Perspolisse (IRI)

Semifinals

Thongtinlienviet Bank (VIE) vs. Chang (THA)

Tianjin Bridgestone (CHN) vs. Zhetyssu (KAZ)