Vietnamese volleyball star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, fresh off her departure from Turkish club Kuzeyboru, made a surprise appearance at the Lao Cai Indoor Stadium to support her former teammates. Her presence brought good luck as VTV Binh Dien Long An defeated Hoa Chat Duc Giang 3-1 in the final to secure their fifth national championship title.
Hoa Chat Duc Giang, backed by a passionate crowd, entered the match determined to claim their first championship. Having finished runners-up in the last four seasons, the team carried immense pressure, which seemed to impact their performance early on. Key players like Bich Thuy, Tu Linh, and Ly Thi Luyen struggled to find their rhythm.
In contrast, VTV Binh Dien Long An, led by veterans Ngoc Hoa and Tra My, alongside foreign star Agbolossou, dominated the first set. With a commanding 10-point lead at one stage, they cruised to a 25-15 victory, earning cheers from Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who watched with a beaming smile.
The momentum shifted in the second set, thanks to Kenya’s Chepchumba, whose powerful spikes and consistent scoring rallied Hoa Chat Duc Giang. Her performance lifted the team’s spirits, allowing them to build an 11-point lead at 18-7. Aware of the uphill battle, VTV Binh Dien Long An’s coach Thai Quang Lai rested key players Ngoc Hoa and Kim Thoa to conserve energy for the next set. Hoa Chat Duc Giang capitalized, winning 25-13 to level the match at 1-1.
With their main lineup reinstated, VTV Binh Dien Long An regained control in the third set. Tra My, Khanh Vy, and Ngoc Hoa spearheaded the attack, establishing an early lead. Despite a valiant effort from Chepchumba and her teammates, the set’s defining moment came from Khanh Vy, who executed a spectacular foot save to extend the lead to 24-20. Ngoc Hoa sealed the set with a 25-20 win, giving her team a 2-1 advantage.
The fourth set showcased the experience and composure of Ngoc Hoa and her team. After surging to a 7-1 lead, VTV Binh Dien Long An’s youthful players grew in confidence, while Hoa Chat Duc Giang faltered under pressure. Despite a brief resurgence from Bich Thuy, who narrowed the gap to 15-18, a timely timeout helped Long An regroup and close out the set 25-19. Tra My’s decisive strike capped the match, securing a 3-1 victory.
With this triumph, VTV Binh Dien Long An claimed their fifth national championship, cementing their dominance in Vietnamese volleyball. For Hoa Chat Duc Giang, the defeat marked their fifth consecutive runner-up finish, extending their wait for a maiden title.
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