Kazakhstan's Karyna Denysova praised the Philippine crowd and high-level competition after leading Zhetysu VC to the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League Final.
Zhetysu VC’s Karyna Denysova had nothing but glowing words for the Philippines after her squad booked a trip to the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League Final.
Following their dominant 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 sweep of Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Qmin C VC at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, April 26, Denysova praised both the level of volleyball competition and the overall hosting experience in Manila.
“My experience is really good. I like the atmosphere here, spectators are really amazing—what they did, this atmosphere, preparation, everything, volleyball. I really like it here,” said Denysova, who powered Zhetysu with 13 points in the semifinal victory.
While this was not her first Asian tournament—having previously played in the 2022 Asian [Women's Club World] Championship in Kazakhstan—Denysova shared that it was her first time competing abroad in the Philippines, and the experience exceeded her expectations.
“It’s really, really amazing for me,” she said.
Denysova also commended the performance of the Philippine club teams.
The tall Kazakhs went up against the Creamline Cool Smashers in pool play, then the PLDT High Speed Hitters during the quarterfinals.
While both matches ended in sweeps, the Ukrainian spiker said the matches offered Zhetysu valuable challenges throughout the tournament.
“They're really good, all teams. It's the same, different volleyball which we played, and for us, it's a new challenge, and it's an experience for us,” Denysova added.
Zhetysu now moves one win away from the AVC crown as they ready to face either China's Beijing BAIC Motor or Vietnam's VTV Binh Dien Long An tomorrow, April 27.