AVC Champions League: Zhetysu VC, Binh Dien Long An advance

Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC during an AVC Women’s Champions League game. –PVL IMAGES

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MANILA, Philippines — Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC booted Al Naser of Iran out of contention, 25-10, 25-15, 25-11, to advance as Pool A’s top seed in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

Less than 24 hours from sweeping Creamline, the Kazakhstan league champion picked up from where it left off, finishing their group with a 2-0 record to seal the top seed and battle the loser of the Nakhon Ratchasima and PLDT from Pool D in the quarterfinals.

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Zhetysy’s win also sealed Creamline’s quarterfinals entry as the Cool Smashers take on the winner of the last Pool D game in a knockout match.

Karyna Denysova led the charge for Zhetysu with 11 points and seven excellent digs, while Yuliia Dymar added nine points.

“I’m very glad because we won today and finished first in the group. I expected the result because when I saw the Jordanian team, I knew we were better,” said Zhetysu coach Marko Gršić. “I’m satisfied with how my team approached the game, and I’m confident we’ll be ready for the quarterfinals.”

READ: AVC: Creamline no answer for ‘very talented, very tall’ Zhetsyu

Isabela Paquiardi led Al Naser with 11 points and five excellent digs, while Ilisandra Klein contributed nine points only to finish the tournament with a 0-2 record.

Vietnam’s Binh Dien Long An during an AVC Women’s Champions League game. –PVL IMAGES

Meanwhile, Vietnam’s VTV Binh Dien Long An recovered from a slow start before ousting Saipan Tehran, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-15, in Pool C.

Recovering from their five-set defeat to China’s Baic Motor Volleyball Club, Binh Dien Long AN leaned on Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, who led the way with 21 points, to finish the eliminations with a 1-1 record, setting a knockout quarterfinal game against Pool B leader Kaohsiung Taipower.

“After the first set, I switched T4 to opposite and Quynh to outside hitter and also brought in Lu Thi Phuong and that changed our fortunes during the game,” said Binh Dien Long An coach Quang Lai through a translator. 

Polish import Natalia Lijewska delivered 15 points, while Vietnamese national team star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy had 14 points and 13 excellent digs. 

Saipa ended its campaign winless in two games with Mahsa Saberi and Mahsa Kadkhoda carrying the cudgels with 11 points each.