CANDON, Ilocos Sur – South Korea opened its campaign in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, with a dominant performance, dismantling Kyrgyzstan in straight sets, 25-7, 25-5, 25-7, for a winning debut at the Candon City Arena on Saturday night.
The South Koreans were relegated from the Volleyball Nations League after finishing last with a 1-11 record last year. Here, they grabbed a share of the top spot in Pool A alongside host Alas Pilipinas, as both teams opened with identical 1-0 records.
Yeoreum Park led South Korea with 12 points built on six attacks and six aces, while Yelim Lee added 10 points, including six in the third set, all coming off attacks.
Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, was led by Raiana Baiamanova, who finished with five points.
(C) AVC
Defending champion Vietnam also opened its title defense in this tournament — co-presented by the FIVB, AVC, and the City Government of Candon, led by Mayor Eric Singson — in dominant fashion, crushing Lebanon in straight sets, 25-3, 25-15, 25-14, in a Pool B encounter.
With star player Tran Thi Thanh Thuy sitting out, Vietnam leaned on the firepower of Nu Anh Le and Thi Uyen Nguyen to overwhelm the Lebanese side.
Le finished with a game-high 12 points on 10 attacks and two service aces, while Nguyen added 11 points on nine attacks and two aces.
Tran Thi Bich Thuy chipped in nine points on eight attacks as Vietnam set the early pace in Group B.
Shantalle Marie Demirjian led Lebanon with eight points on seven attacks and a block.
In other Pool B action, Kazakhstan and Indonesia joined Vietnam at the top of the standings after opening their campaigns with victories over their respective opponents.
(C) AVC
Kazakhstan overcame an early scare, turning back Hong Kong, 20-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-13, while Indonesia fended off Iran in four sets, 25-15, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22.
Tatyana Yatskiv powered Kazakhstan with 25 points on 22 attacks, two service aces, and a block, while Yulia Fomenko anchored the defense with six of the team’s 12 blocks en route to 13 points.
Lam Shum led Hong Kong with 13 points, while Nga Yee Leung added nine.
(C) Candon City
For Indonesia, Ersandrina Devega led the way with 20 points, while Medi Yoku contributed 17.
On the Iranian side, Elaheh Poursaleh scored 20 points in a losing effort, while Fatemeh Khalili added 19 markers.
