Zhetysu VC Wins AVC Champions League Behind Denysova Heroics

Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC showcased its talent and resilience, roaring back from third-set deficits and overpowering Vietnam’s VTV Bình Điền Long An 25-14, 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 to capture the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League title Sunday at the Philsports Arena.

The towering Kazakhs leaned on their height and impeccable timing to break down the Vietnamese challenge.

Their chemistry and cohesion, sharpened during an unbeaten run in the eight-day championship, were evident when it mattered most.

The rebranded continental tournament featured 12 of the region’s top clubs from 10 countries, but it was Zhetysu VC that stood tallest, literally and figuratively.

Zhetysu topped pool play without incident, defeated the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the quarterfinals and blasted Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima in the semifinals without dropping a set.

“Of course, I want to congratulate the Vietnam team – they played very, very well,” said Zhetysu head coach Marko Gršić.

“But I also want to give a big, big bravo to my team,” Gršić said.

“We won all our matches, and in the final, we showed how brave we are,” he added.

“I think we truly deserved this title. I’m very proud of my team.”

“We didn’t expect to lose a set, but Vietnam is really very good,” Gršić said.

“I always believed we were better, although at one point, I thought the match might go to five sets. But winning it in four is even better—and we’re very happy,” he added.

With the title and the top prize of $20,000 (about PHP1.14 million), Zhetysu VC completed a flawless championship run and stamped its mark as the team to beat in Asian women’s club volleyball.

Zhetysu VC and VTV Bình Điền Long An also secured berths in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Club Championship slated for September in Thailand.

Zhetysu dominated the opening set with a crisp and powerful display of offense and defense.

However, the Vietnamese regrouped in the second set, responding with fierce attacks and steady defense to level the match.

The pivotal third set saw VTV Bình Điền Long An, led by Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, dictate the early pace and build a commanding lead.

Zhetysu fought back but still found itself on the brink of a 1-2 set deficit.

The Kazakhs pounced on an attack error by Thi Nhu Quynh Vi to break a 23-all tie, then Yakutina delivered a clutch block on Vi to steal the set and shift the momentum.

With their confidence soaring, the Kazakhs turned a slim 12-10 lead into a commanding 19-13 advantage in the fourth set behind a fiery 7-3 run sparked by Valeriya Yakutina, Karyna Denysova and Daria Sharhorodska.

Denysova saved her best for last, leading Zhetysu with a tournament-high 23 points, 10 excellent digs and five excellent receptions.

Zhetysu closed the tournament, supported by PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal and The Look Group, with a perfect 5-0 record.

Tatyana Nikitina added 16 points and seven digs, while Yakutina contributed 12 points, highlighted by four attacks and six kill blocks in the 87-minute finale.

Yuliia Dymar chipped in nine points along with six digs and eight receptions, while Sharhorodska delivered eight points, including four attacks, three service aces and a block.

Denysova capped her brilliant tournament with the MVP award and one of the Best Outside Hitter honors.

Also named to the Dream Team were Valeriya Yakutina (Best Middle Blocker) and Daria Sharhorodska (Best Setter).

From VTV Bình Điền Long An, Vi was named Best Outside Hitter, Thuy earned Best Opposite Spiker, and Khanh Dang Nguyen took home the Best Libero award.

Tichakorn Boonklert of Nakhon Ratchasima completed the Dream Team roster as the other Best Middle Blocker awardee.

Thuy delivered a relentless effort for VTV Bình Điền Long An, finishing with a match-high 28 points along with six digs and six receptions.

Vi contributed 19 points and tallied 10 digs in a valiant effort for the Vietnamese side.