Chinese Taipei sweeps Kazakhstan, reaches first-ever AVC Cup Final

CANDON, Ilocos Sur – Chinese Taipei stormed into its first-ever AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup finals appearance in emphatic fashion, stunning Kazakhstan in straight sets, 25-23, 25-16, 25-13, on Saturday at the Candon City Arena here.

The breakthrough assures Chinese Taipei at least a silver medal finish—its highest finish at the continental level—after settling for the bronze medal last year, as it moves one step closer to an unprecedented AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup crown.

Coming off a heartbreaking loss to World No. 33 South Korea, the No. 34 Chinese Taipei quickly picked itself up, surviving a tight encounter against No. 36 Kazakhstan before taking command of the next two sets to punch its ticket to a historic breakthrough in the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Very happy, and it’s the first time that we are going to the final so I’m really excited. This game I think everybody and Yichi (Chang) played very good,” said team captain Liao Yijen after the victory.

Tsai Yuchun spearheaded the Taiwanese attack with 18 points on 17 attacks and one ace, while 20-year-old opposite spiker Yang Yichi added 14 points on 10 attacks, three aces, and one block, bouncing back strongly from a four-point outing against South Korea.

Hsu Wanyu and Yeh Yuwen contributed seven and six points, respectively, for Chinese Taipei, which finished second in Pool B with a 4-1 record in the tournament co-presented by the FIVB, AVC, Volleyball World, and Candon City headed by Mayor Eric Singson.

The Taiwanese dominated the attacking department, 42-32, and held a 5-1 advantage in aces. They also capitalized on 25 Kazakhstan errors while limiting themselves to just 12.

Chinese Taipei will now head to the gold medal match, where they will take on the winner of the semis pairing between South Korea and defending champion Vietnam on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, it was a crushing defeat for Kazakhstan, which came into the semifinals riding the momentum of a landmark victory over Vietnam, handing the three-time defending champion its first-ever loss in the tournament after a dominant 23-match winning streak.

Tatyana Yatskiv paced the Kazakhs with 12 points on seven attacks and five blocks, while Kristina Belova had 10 markers.

Kazakhstan, meanwhile, will look to regroup as it heads to the bronze medal match, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

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