Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC muscled past Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima in a straight-set but tightly contested match, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, on Saturday to secure a breakthrough finals berth in the 2025 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Banking on their imposing height and unrelenting power, the nine-time Kazakhstan Women’s National League champions unleashed a well-rounded offensive barrage to extend their flawless record to four matches – all straight-set victories – in the tournament backed by federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport.
The defeat knocked the Devil Cat out of title contention.
“We knew that (Nakhon Ratchasima) is a very strong team with a lot of experienced players,” said Zhetysu head coach Marko Grsic.
“But today, I want to say bravo to my team because they were very, very brave. They concentrated on the task. I’m very happy because we’re going to play in our first Asian Champions League final,” added Grsic.
The triumph also clinched Zhetysu a coveted slot in the 2025 FIVB World Women’s Volleyball Club Championship in September in Thailand.
Ukrainian import Karyna Denysova once again showed the way for Zhetysu, pumping in 14 points – all from powerful attacks – while adding nine excellent digs to underscore her two-way prowess.
Yuliia Dymar added 12 points along with seven excellent digs and seven receptions, while the towering Valeriya Yakutina imposed her will at the net with 12 points built on four attacks, a match-high seven kill blocks, and an ace – highlighting Zhetysu’s significant height advantage over their Thai rivals.
Tatyana Nikitina contributed nine points, while Kristina Anikonova finished with seven. Mariya Syrygina helped anchor Zhetysu’s floor defense with 10 excellent digs.
After controlling the first two sets, Zhetysu raced to a commanding 7-3 lead in the third frame and widened the gap to 17-10 behind Dymar’s blistering attack, effectively sealing Nakhon Ratchasima’s fate.
The loss ended a promising run for the Thai side, which swept its group stage assignments but struggled against the taller and more powerful Kazakhs when it mattered most.
The eight-day tournament, organized by Sports Vision and supported by local partners PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group, wraps up on Sunday with Zhetysu facing the winner of the Beijing Baic Motor–VTV Binh Dien Long An semifinal – also staking another coveted berth in the FIVB World Championship.
Anyse Smith paced the Thai champions with 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks. Veteran Onuma Sittirak tallied 11 points and 15 excellent digs, while Sasipapron Janthawisut chipped in nine points, 11 digs, and 13 receptions.
