In a display of absolute dominance rarely seen at this level, Kazakhstan`s U16 girls` national volleyball team has been crowned champions of the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) U16 Girls` Championship. Held in the capital city of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, the tournament concluded with the Kazakh squad standing atop the podium, having navigated the entire competition without dropping a single set.
The championship featured four participating teams: the hosts Tajikistan, alongside Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the eventual victors, Kazakhstan. Right from the start, it became clear that Kazakhstan was a formidable force. Their performance in the initial round-robin league stage was flawless, securing three wins, all by a commanding 3-0 margin. This perfect start set the tone for the remainder of the tournament.
Moving into the knockout phase, Kazakhstan maintained their clinical efficiency. In the semifinal, they faced hosts Tajikistan, delivering a comprehensive 3-0 victory with set scores of 25-12, 25-15, and 25-7. This win paved their way to the gold medal match, where they met Uzbekistan, a team that had also shown strong form throughout the event, winning all their matches apart from encounters with Kazakhstan.
The grand finale, a clash between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, promised excitement but ultimately highlighted Kazakhstan`s superior form. Kazakhstan secured the championship title with another straight-sets victory, winning 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-14). This result capped a truly remarkable tournament performance – five matches played, five wins, and not a single set surrendered. It`s the kind of record that suggests meticulous preparation and execution, or perhaps just a serious shortage of luck for their opponents.
While Kazakhstan claimed the gold, the battle for the other medals was also keenly contested. Uzbekistan`s solid performance earned them the silver. Their path included a challenging semifinal against Kyrgyzstan, which they won 3-1, with set scores of 25-23, 25-22, 9-25, 25-22. Kyrgyzstan, despite the semifinal loss, regrouped effectively for the bronze medal match, where they defeated hosts Tajikistan 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-17) to secure their place on the podium. Tajikistan finished the tournament in fourth place.
Individual brilliance was also a highlight of the championship. Kazakhstan`s 14-year-old outside hitter, Assyly Abitay, was rightfully recognized for her outstanding play, being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. Abitay also featured prominently in the `Dream Team` lineup, a selection of the best players from the event. The Dream Team included setter Asylzat Maksutova from Kyrgyzstan, opposite Margarita Vagner from Kazakhstan, outside hitter Malika Asliddinova from Uzbekistan, middle blockers Ulyana Kokina from Kazakhstan and Saodat Egamberdieva from Uzbekistan, and libero Asema Seiitbekova from Kyrgyzstan. These selections underscore the depth of talent emerging in Central Asian volleyball.
Marcus Blakely