Zhetsyu VC emphatically shut the door on PLDT’s semifinal hopes with a dominant 25-13, 25-22, 25-20 sweep, becoming the first team to reach the Final Four of the AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday.
The Kazakhs showcased a masterclass in power and precision, overwhelming the High Speed Hitters with their superior attacking and airtight net defense. Zhetsyu tallied an imposing 46-33 edge in attacks and a lopsided 12-3 advantage in blocks – figures that underscored their total control of the match and extended their undefeated run without dropping a set.
“There’s no secret – we just fight for every ball,” said Tatyana Nikitina, downplaying any notion of magic behind their dominant march to the semifinals.
The 24-year-old opposite hitter powered the Kazakhs with 19 points on 14 attacks, four blocks, and an ace. She spiked her superb all-around performance with six excellent digs and two excellent receptions.
Team captain Karyna Denysova backed her up with a solid 15-point effort, including 13 on attacks and two blocks with six excellent digs.
Yulila Dymar added 11 points and eight excellent digs, while Kristina Anikonova and Valeriya Yakutina chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.
“I’m very happy with the win, but I knew the Philippine team would fight back. After the first set, we expected them to respond, and we were ready for that challenge,” said Zhetysu head coach Marko Grši?.
“I’m proud of my team – they played very well today, especially on the block. I believe we truly deserved this victory,” he added.
Now riding a three-match sweep streak, the Kazakh side advanced to Saturday’s semifinal, where it will face the winner of the Nakhon Ratchasima vs. Creamline clash being played at press time.
With a finals berth and a potential ticket to the FIVB World Women’s Club Championship in Thailand on the line, Zhetsyu VC looks poised to continue its clinical run in the tournament organized by Sports Vision.
From the get-go, Zhetsyu VC took the crowd out of the game with their crisp execution and composure under pressure. Even when PLDT briefly surged ahead late in the second set, the Kazakhs remained unfazed, orchestrating a quick turnaround behind clutch blocking and smart offensive plays, including a string of rejections that nullified Wilma Salas’ late-set push.
A brief lapse by Denysova gave PLDT a glimmer of hope in the third set, trimming Zhetsyu VC’s lead to 19-20. But the Kazakhs responded with poise and precision, unleashing a decisive 5-1 finishing run.
The stretch run was punctuated by back-to-back kills from Dymar and a lightning-quick hit by Yakutina, sealing the match and Zhetsyu’s place in the Final Four of the continental tournament supported by global federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sports, as well as local sponsors PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal and the Look Group.
PLDT showed heart in the second set, mounting a spirited comeback from a 16-20 deficit to seize a 21-20 lead – highlighted by a key block from Salas and a quick middle strike by Dell Palomata.
But Zhetsyu quickly wrested back control, staging another 5-1 surge. Yakutina anchored the turnaround with a pair of clutch blocks on Salas, while Dymar fired a sharp crosscourt kill to clinch a commanding two-set lead.
Entering the knockout stage with high hopes, the High Speed Hitters fought bravely but struggled to match Zhetsyu VC’s superiority in critical departments, especially at the net and in transition play.
PVL All-Filipino Conference Best Outside Spiker Savi Davison led PLDT with 13 points off 12 attacks and added nine excellent digs. Salas followed with 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks, along with six excellent digs.
Palomata added seven points, including six attacks and a block, while Kianna Dy chipped in five points and five digs.
Team captain and defensive anchor Kath Arado, who tallied 28 excellent digs in their previous match against Nakhon Ratchasima, once again showed her caliber with 17 excellent digs and six excellent receptions in the loss.
Despite Arado’s gritty effort – especially in Set 2 – PLDT’s inconsistencies in floor coverage and service reception proved costly.
Zhetsyu nailed four service aces and gave up none in return, exposing the High Speed Hitters' vulnerability in the backcourt.
