By Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports

ASEAN University Games Volleyball Women Singapore vs Thailand

Ryshire Wu (#2) of Singapore spikes the ball against Thailand. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)

Palembang Sport and Convention Center, Indonesia, Tuesday, December 9, 2014 — In the opening game of the ASEAN University Games Volleyball Championship, Singapore went down 0–3 (8–25, 8–25, 12–25) to Thailand.

The Thai team, who finished second in 2012, boasted five national players and most players played for external clubs in the local professional league.

Thailand went on an 8–1 run in the opening set, forcing a timeout from Singapore. Singapore regained their composure to score three unanswered points, but the Thais were quick to adapt to Singapore’s strategy. They went on to clinch the set on a 14–4 run.

The second set yielded a similar result, as the more experienced Thais used a 7–0 run to take the set.

In the closing set, the Thais went on a early 10–2 run, but Singapore fought back to reduce the deficit to six points through Ryshire Wu’s (#2) spikes. Unfortunately, the unrelenting Thais regrouped and closed the set with a 7–2 run, handing Singapore their first loss.

Singapore captain Ang Qihui (#7) said, “I think our team did fairly okay, considering that this is our first game and also that Thailand is a strong team among the ASEAN teams. We did our best, and played as a team, and that’s all that matters.

“For AUG, the international experience and exposure are not things that we can get in Singapore. We don’t see everybody all the time, so I think it’s very nice to see players from different universities coming together and play under the same AUG team.”

Singapore will next play Malaysia at 3 p.m. (local time) on Thursday, December 11.

“We’ll just mentally prepare ourselves for the game against Malaysia. We have another training session tomorrow, so hopefully we can make some adjustments to any mistakes we have today. We’ll just try our best in the game,” added the Singapore Institute of Management student.

Score by set
Singapore vs Thailand
1st set: 8–25
2nd set: 8–25
3rd set: 12–25

Singapore Roster
Wu Hui Min Ryshire (#2), Ang Xue Er (L, #3), Kong Xin Ni (#6), Ang Qihui (#7), Koh Xueer Cheryl (#8), Tan Yan Shuang (#9), Pang Yen Lin Hdelyn (#10), Adelina Lam (#11), Lim Fang Jing Seon (#12), Chew Jia Le (#14), Ho Jia Hui (#17), Lim Jia Hui Trudie (#18)

Thailand Roster
Kannika Sitthipat (L, #1), Kanika Thipachot (#3), Pornpun Guedpard (#5), Kamlangmak Chitaporn (#6), Rasamee Supamool (#7), Wasana Sawangsri (#8), Surasawadee Boonyuen (#10), Soraya Phomla (#11), Tapaphaipun Chaisri (#12), Sutadta Chuewulim (#14), Wanida Kotruang (#17), Anongporn Promrat (#18)

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