INDIA and Kazakhstan won in straight sets to kick off action in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

India encountered a strong third-set resistance from Iran before wrapping up a 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 win in Pool A that took an hour and 24 minutes, while Kazakhstan had a practically easier time against Singapore, 25-15, 25-9, 25-17, behind Kristina Belova’s 15 points in Pool B action.

“I feel very proud and happy,” India’s team captain Kovat Shaji Jini said.

“The Iran team’s very good but we focused on our service and digging and we got good results.”

Outside spiker Anagha Radhakrishnan was consistent for India all match long and finished with 13 kills and three service aces for 16 points and outside hitter Kambrath Anusree scattered 16 points on top of 13 kills and Shaalini Saravanan had 12 points.

“We were fourth place but now we want to win a medal in this championships so,” said Jini, referring to last year’s tournament in East Java where Vietnam won the crown over host Indonesia and the Indians losing to Chinese Taipei in the bronze medal match.

India goes for payback against Chinese-Taipei at 1 p.m. on Thursday in the event organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara and supported by Meralco, PLDT, Smart, Akari, AyalaLand, Nuvali, Foton, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Maynilad, Makati Shangri-La, Rebisco, Cignal, OneSports, OneSports+ and PilipinasLive.

Belova had y eight kills and seven aces for the Kazakhs, who weren’t exactly used to playing in a different time zone.

“It’s very difficult in terms of time difference because it’s 7 in the morning back home,” Kazakhstan team captain Sana Anarkulova said.

“It’s so early and our people are still asleep, but we’ll try to perform well.”
Defending champion Vietnam played Hong Kong and Australia faced Chinese Taipei in the other games set late Wednesday.

Pilipinas Alas debuts against Australia on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Pool A after Indonesia takes on Hong Kong at 10 a.m. in Pool B and Vietnam clashes with Singapore in Pool B at 4 p.m.