Kazakhstan and India are the first secure victories in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Kazakhstan and India are off to a good start in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup after scoring dominating wins in their opening matches at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Wednesday, May 22.
In the first match of the tournament, 31st-ranked Kazakhstan made quick work of Singapore, 25-15, 25-9, 25-17.
After running away with the first and second sets, Kazakhstan had to hold off the pesky Singapore team, which managed to tie the game at 16-all in the third.
But that was all Singapore had left in the tank as Kazakhstan went on an 8-0 run to put them at match point.
The Singaporeans would end the run after scoring from a down the line attack, however, they committed a service error to give the Kazahks the win.
Kristina Belove finished with a game-high 15 points, while team captain Sana Anarkulova added 13 markers.
"The first game every time is difficult. Because now in Kazakhstan, it’s 7 in the morning. It’s so early. Our people [are] still asleep, but we try to show our good performance, good power, and we need to win," said Anarkulova.
Kazakhstan will face Vietnam next on Friday, May 24 at 1:00 p.m. still at Rizal Memorial.
In the second game, the 62nd-ranked India pulled away against the 57th-ranked Iran to secure a straight-set victory, 25-17, 25-23, 25-21.
After a comfortable win in the first set, India had to rally past Iran, who were in control for most of the second frame.
Tied at 23-all, India turned to Anusree Kambrath Poyilil to bring them to set point, before a scramble at the net ensued in the next play with setter Jini Kovat Shaji tipping the ball in to secure the set victory.
A similar scenario happened in the third set as India rallied from a 14-17 deficit before making a 3-0 run to bring themselves to match point at 24-20.
Iran managed to score a point before Anushree, who scored India's last three points, placed just the ball just before the line to seal the opening-day victory.
Anusree and Anagha Radhakrishnan combined for 31 points in the win, while Shalini Saravanan contributed 12 markers. Setter Jini Kovat Shaji added five points as well.
"I feel very proud and happy. The Iran team also has a very good team, but we focused on our service and digging then we got good result today," said Jini.
"Last year we [were] fourth place, but now we want to win a medal in this tournament. We try to prepare our team to play as a group," she added.
India will look to go 2-0 in the tournament as they face Chinese Taipei tomorrow, May 23 at 1:00 p.m.