VakifBank holds off Bangkok Glass en route to WCWC semis

VakifBank Istanbul advanced to the semifinal stages of the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 win over winless Bangkok Glass Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The last point of the match may have required a bit of review but VakifBank substitute Melis Durul’s shot against the blockade of Bangkok Glass was ruled as a legal play.

VakifBank head coach Giovanni Guidetti was proud of how his team performed since he had the opportunity to play all members of his squad.

“I used all 14 of my players and everybody contributed, so I’m very happy about it,” said Guidetti whose team finished the eliminations with seven points and a 2-1 record behind leaders Volero Zurich who went undefeated.

Slöetjes Lonneke led VakifBank with 17 points while captain Gözde Kirdar, who sat out the first set, added 11 points.

Wilavan Apinyapong led Bangkok Glass with 14 points as they are left to fight in the classification stages after ending the group stages with zero points and a 0-3 record.