Volleyball Thailand Club
Hanoi, Vietnam, September 11, 2009 -- Fist-pumping Thailand on Friday stormed their ways past fighting Kazakhstan in dramatic four sets 27-25, 25-21, 24-26, 25-22 to next take on old foes Japan in the semi-finals of the 15th Asian Senior Women's Volleyball Championship.
Thailand, third place at the previous edition on home soil, fielded the well-established starting line-up including powerful hitter Onuma Sitthirak, Wilavan Apinyapong and Pleumjit Thinkaow, while Kazakhstan sent a strong team of tall players, whose height average is 185cm against the rivals' 176cm.
In the first set, both sides started an attack game to tie at 10-10. From then on, leads changed hands for several times. However, Kazakhstan used their height advantage to spike exceptionally at the net to take a commanding 24-21.
Onuma was the Thailand's strong comeback. She carried out terrific jump serves and at the same time unleashed a barrage of explosive cross-court spikes to help the team even at 24-24 and again 25-25. Thailand played more consistently to take the hard-fought first set 27-25.
Thailand still took command in the second set, which they led 12-9. As Kazakhstan's game was error-filled, Thailand continued their attacks. Wilavan blunted the taller blockers with her fierce spikes, while Pleumjit and Nootsara Tomkom produced solid blocking. Thailand netted the second set 25-21.
Conceding two sets, Kazakhstan tightened their defence and overwhelmed the Thai players with the power at the net. Despite a sturdy challenge from the tough opponents, Kazakhstan steadied their nerves to end the Thai challenge in the hotly-contest set 26-24.
In the fourth set, Onuma shone through her majestic talent to spike from all corners. With the more splendid form, Thailand captured the set 25-22 and the thrilling match.
As expected, Onuma led Thailand with 30 points including 26 kills. Olga Nassedkina topscored 16 points for Kazakhstan, but Yuliya Kustko was the team's best spiker with 11 kills.
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