Kazakh spikers stun Vietnamese

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — Kazakhstan inched closer to the title in AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup yesterday after it turned back Vietnam, 18-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22, 15-13, at the Candon Sports Arena here.

Kristina Belova, Zhana Syroyeshkina and Tatyana Yatskiv unloaded 21, 21 and 20 points, respectively, as Kazakhstan claimed the Pool B top seeding with a pristine 5-0 record in pool play.

Kazakhstan, runners up two years ago in Manila and semifinalist last year in Hanoi, will face the loser between Pool A’s South Korea and Chinese Taipei, both unbeaten in four outings, in their match being played as of press time.

The winner of that duel will battle Vietnam, which fell to 4-1.

“This game was really important but we’re prepared for this game and I think we did a great job,” said Belova.