Vi Thị Như Quỳnh sparks excitement at the Volleyball World Championship

The Vietnam women's volleyball team impressed in their first match of the 2025 World Championship by taking a set from Poland, with standout player Vi Thị Như Quỳnh drawing particular focus.

Vietnam's women's volleyball team had a commendable debut at the 2025 World Championship, despite not causing an upset against the strong Polish team, currently ranked third in the world. Ultimately, coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt’s squad lost 1-3, but the red-shirted players left a positive mark, especially with their spectacular win in the opening set.

Before the match began, experts predicted a significant gap in skill, physique, and international experience between the two teams. However, Vietnam started confidently, defending resolutely and counterattacking effectively.

In the first set, Coach Tuấn Kiệt’s players shocked everyone by winning 25-23, leaving even the Polish fans stunned. This was considered a “small miracle” since even the most optimistic did not expect Vietnam to gain such an early advantage against one of Europe’s top teams.

The biggest highlight of the match came from Vi Thị Như Quỳnh. The attacker born in 2002 was placed in the starting lineup and unexpectedly became the main offensive weapon. While captain Trần Thị Thanh Thúy dropped back to assist in defense and serve reception, Như Quỳnh was tasked with scoring points and took full advantage of the opportunity. She repeatedly executed powerful and precise attacks, breaking through the opponent’s over 2-meter-high block several times.

After the match, coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt praised his player: “Như Quỳnh, when positioned there focusing solely on attack, played very confidently.” Statistics show she scored up to 20 points, making her the highest scorer for Vietnam in the match. This is a rare achievement for a Southeast Asian attacker facing one of the world’s best defenses.

Besides Như Quỳnh, other players also made notable contributions. Bích Thủy scored 9 points, Kiều Trinh added 8, captain Thanh Thúy earned 6, while Nguyễn Thị Uyên and Lê Thanh Thúy contributed 4 and 3 points respectively. Although they could not maintain their lead in the following sets, the entire team showed strong fighting spirit, forcing Poland to work hard for the overall victory.

Securing a set against such a high-caliber opponent meant the Vietnam women’s volleyball team only lost 0.01 points, keeping their 22nd position in the FIVB rankings intact. This is a major morale boost for the team in their first appearance at the world’s most prestigious tournament.

In their next Group G match, coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt’s team will face Germany, ranked 11th globally, at 5 PM on August 25. The match promises to be a tough challenge, but based on their performance against Poland, fans can expect Vietnam’s women to continue showing brave and confident displays.