Kazakhstan opened its AVC Challenge Cup for Women with a rousing 25-15, 25-9, 25-17 victory over Singapore at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Wednesday morning.
The Kazakhs were all business against the Singaporeans, finishing off the match in just 72 minutes to take the early lead in Pool B with a 1-0 record.
Kazakhstan, ranked 31 in the world, rained down on Singapore and delivered a total of 41 attacks out of just 77 attempts and 11 service aces compared to the latter’s 23 attacks and one ace.
Outside hitter Kristina Belova took charge for the Kazakhs with 15 points on eight attacks and seven booming service aces while team captain Sana Anarkulova added 13 markers, 12 of which came from attacks.
Kristina Anikonova chipped in eight points while Svetlana Nikolayeva registered seven markers in the swift victory.
“As I mentioned before, the first game is always difficult. Right now in Kazakhstan, it’s 7 in the morning. It’s so early, and our people are still asleep. But we try to show our good performance, our good power, and we need to win,” said Anarkulova.
After breezing past the first two sets, the Kazakhs faced resistance from the side of the Singaporeans in the third with the latter tying the game at 16-all. However, the former went on a 9-1 finishing kick to chalk its first win of the tourney.
Kazakhstan will take a one-day break before taking on defending champion Vietnam on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the same venue.
No player from the side of Singapore breached the five-point mark with Yue Tinglau, Yi Tinsiow, and Yun Jiesan scoring four points each in the loss.
The Singaporeans committed a total of 20 attack errors in the match.
Singapore will try to bounce back tomorrow, Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
