FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Nakhon Ratchasima spikers take down Ayutthaya in opener

Nakhon Ratchasima spikers take down Ayutthaya in opener

National players Onuma Sittirak and Wilavan Apinyapong got Thailand League champions Nakhonratchasima off to a winning start in the Bt2-million Thai-Denmark Super League Volleyball Tournament by narrowly beating in-form Ayutthaya ATCC 27-25 17-25 27-25 25

Nakhonratchasima, fresh from finishing a hard-fought fifth in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Pathom, fielded a formidable line-up including three current national players and powerful left-hander Rassamee Supamool, while Ayutthaya ATCC sent in a youthful squad. Despite the strong challenge from the young opposition, Nakhonratchasima made use of their greater experience to battle through in the first game 27-25.  A gutsy Ayutthaya  showed impenetrable defence to equalise with a 25-17 win in the second. 
The third game was a thriller, with lead changing hands several times before Nakhonratchasima’s final assault earned them the 27-25 victory. 
The battle raged into the fourth game, where Ayutthaya levelled at 13-13 before Nakhonratchasima stamped their dominance with a 25-21 match-clinching win.  Nakhonratchasima’s head coach Suthichai Chanbunchee admitted that it was a close match, but he was happy with the opening win. 
“It is always tough in the first match of any tournament. We have to study our rivals’ form and at the same time try to avoid making unforced errors out of haste. It was good to win but I admit that my players still have a lot to learn,” Suthichai said. The men’s preliminary encounters earlier saw Thailand League winners Nakhonratchasima, led by powerful Wanchai Tabwises, beat Kasetsart VC in dramatic four sets 25-22 19-25 25-19 25-22 in Group A, while Chonburi ETEC Airforce pulled off a straight-set 25-18 25-19 25-21 victory over Krungkao Airforce in Group B. 
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