Thai Ladies World Volleyball Finale: From Russia with Love

[Frank James]

Sunday, November 17, 2013

The Thailand National Ladies Volleyball Team came back in splendid fashion today and beat the very solid Russian ladies team, by returning to the fast, loose, wide open play that brought them to this World Championship. After a shaky start, and a loss in set 1, the ladies came out and played intense, physical ball, winning convincingly in sets 2, 3, and 4. This Russian team is good, and if you make any sort of mistake, they make you pay for it. The have good speed, combined with size. This combination was on full display in the first set, and it looked like our ladies were facing certain elimination, with a loss to every opponent in the tournament.

In the second set, our side seemed to loosen up, started flashing those great smiles, and the momentum shifted for good. Pleumjit (number 5)started taking her shots instead of faking and deferring to another scorer. Onuma Sittirak was the hands and feet of this ball club, throughout the series, playing every minute of every game. When her playing days are over, they should retire her number, the Big Six. She's a one woman highlight film.

Well, the season is over, their best of all time. They deserve a parade, at least. This team will be remembered for years. Thank you, Ladies for representing Thailand to the world at the highest level of your game. You have made us proud.

Here's a page with details about the team, and a great interview in English, with Coach K:

http://www.fivb.org/EN/Volleyball/Competitions/GrandChampionCup/2013/women/viewPressRelease.asp?No=43807&Language=en