TEHRAN - Vietnam’s Duc Giang Chemical swept Iran’s Saipa Club 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 27-25) in the 5th-8th semifinals of the 2024 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at Chartchai Hall.

Elena Samoilenko, who missed the first few matches of the Vietnam club, has now picked up of her performance as one of the main options on offense, scoring 20 points in Friday morning’s victory.

Apart from Samoilenko, Tran Thu Linh was looked upon to help in the scoring department. She contributed on attack, but also helped create a good passing rhythm for the team. Meanwhile, Tran Thi Bich Thuy was taking care of the middle, executing both attack and block, asianvolleyball.net reported.

Saipa Club intended to capitalize on their tall hitters. Aytak Salamat was evidently preferred as their main hitter over the course of the competition. She continued to support the team as she could show she could connect from the flanks. However, they could not seem to fully establish their tempo. Their passing lanes lacked fluidity and coordination, as their opponents could maximize this with strategic service. 

Saipa had lost to the Philippines’ Monolith Skyrisers and Japan’s NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, Vietnam’s LPBank Ninh Binh and Kazakhstan’s Kuanysh VC.

Duc Giang Chemical will meet the winners of the match between Kwai Tsing of Hong Kong, China and Monolith Sky Risers of the Philippines for the best possible finish of fifth place in the 2024 edition.