Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC stormed past Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima in a hard-fought straight-sets victory, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, to seize a spot in the 2025 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup finale on Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The nine-time Kazakhstan Women’s National League champion unleashed a balanced offensive onslaught to extend their unblemished run — still without dropping a single set in the tournament, backed by federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport — while sending the Devil Cat crashing out of the semis.
With the semifinal win, Zhetysu also clinched a spot in the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Club Championship, which will take place later this year.
(C) PVL Images
“We already knew yesterday, we saw that Nakhon Ratchasima will be our next opponent. We already knew that it 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’re very, very brave. (They) concentrated on the task, I’m very happy because we’re going to play this first finals of the Asian Champions League,” she added.
Ukrainian outside hitter Karyna Denysova once again led the team in scoring with 14 points, all from attacks, to go along with nine excellent digs as the team extended its winning streak to four games.
Yuliia Dymar tallied 12 points, seven excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions, while Valeriya Yakutina also had 12 markers on four attacks, seven kill blocks, and one ace for the Kazakhs.
Tatyana Nikitina chipped in nine markers, while Kristina Anikonova had seven points. Mariya Syrygina led the defense with 10 excellent digs.
After taking care of business in the first two sets, Zhetysu raced to a 7-3 start in the opener before eventually extending the lead to as big as seven points, 17-10, following a searing attack from Dymar.
Nakhon Ratchasima never recovered from there, bowing out of the tournament after winning their first three games on their way to the semifinals of this tournament, which is also supported by local partners PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group.
(C) PVL Images
The Kazakh club will face off against the winner of the semifinal matchup between Beijing Baic Motor and VTV Binh Dien Long An in the knockout finale of the Sports Vision-organized tilt.
Anyse Smith spearheaded the six-time Thailand League winner with 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks. Onuma Sittirak added 11 points and 15 excellent digs, while Sasipapron Janthawisut had nine points, 11 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions.
