Czechia wins Challenger Cup, earns VNL spot with near-perfect run
Czechia is crowned FIVB Challenger Cup champion.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Czechia topped Puerto Rico, 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-18, to reign supreme in the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Opposite hitter Gabriela Orvosova hammered out 25 points on 23 hits and two blocks as Czechia also booked a coveted promotion ticket to the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL).
Team captain Michaela Mlejnkova added 18 points while Helena Havelkova and Magdalena Jehlarova chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Czech spikers, who needed only one hour and 48 minutes to win the knockout finale.
READ: Czechia sets up Challenger Cup final vs Puerto Rico for VNL spot
Now world No. 15, Czechia zoomed to a 2-0 start and fended off any resistance left from world No. 16 Puerto Rico in the fourth set.
“It’s unbelievable. We’re so happy and proud of our team. I’m speechless,” beamed Orvosova.
Czechia players celebrate after beating Puerto Rico in the FIVB Challenger Cup Final in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“It’s time to celebrate our success. I believe in this tournament, we’re the better team and we deserve to win but the VNL is another level,” added Greek head coach Ioannis Athanasopoulos.
It was a near-perfect Manila conquest for Czechia, which only dropped one set the entire tournament.
READ: Alas tormentor Vietnam bags bronze in FIVB Challenger Cup
Czechia pummeled world No. 17 Argentina, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, in the quarterfinals then trounced now world No. 32 Vietnam in the semis, 25-19, 25-14, 25-19, of the VNL qualifier.
Grace Mar Lopez Villanueva and Paola Nicole Santiago Cabrera put up 23 and 18 points, respectively, while Stephanie Rivera tallied 12 points for the Puerto Ricans.
“Fans here are unbelievable right from first moment we arrived at the airport. Volleyball is huge over here and I didn’t know that. It’s a great experience for our team. From the entire Czech national team, we’re really thankful,” said Athanasopoulos.
Earlier, Vietnam stunned world No. 12 Belgium, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, to salvage the bronze medal behind the 35-point eruption on 34 hits by ace hitter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.
