Vietnam Secures Bronze at FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup

MANILA — Vietnam claimed the bronze medal at the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup, defeating Belgium with a score of 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen led Vietnam to victory with a stellar performance, scoring 35 points in the match. The 6-foot-1 opposite hitter from LPBank Ninh Binh club made significant contributions, particularly with 11 attacks in the first set and nine in the second. Despite Belgium’s win in the second set, Vietnam maintained a strong performance throughout the match. Middleblocker Thi Trinh Nguyen supported the team with 10 attacks, and team captain Thi Thanh Thuy Tran contributed five attacks, one block, and one ace, leading to their win after one hour and 55 minutes of play.

Vietnam’s journey to the bronze included a victory over host Alas Pilipinas in the quarterfinals and a defeat by the Czech Republic in the semifinals. In contrast, Belgium’s outside hitter Manon Stragier scored 14 points, and opposite Pauline Martin along with middleblocker Britt Fransen added 13 and 11 points respectively, but it was not enough to overcome Vietnam’s momentum.

The gold medal match between Puerto Rico and the Czech Republic was ongoing at the time of reporting, with the winner set to advance to the elite Volleyball Nations League next year.

Vietnam, currently ranked 32nd worldwide, continues to build on their success in international volleyball, following their victory at the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup last May at the nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum.