Australia advances to the semifinals of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup after overcoming Iran in a tight four-set victory, 26-24, 25-23, 27-25, 31-29, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Sunday, May 26.
This marks the first time that Australia made the tournament's semifinals after finishing in 6th place last year.
After an extended third set, another close battle ensued between the Aussies and Iranians in the fourth which led to an even longer extended affair.
At 26-25 for Australia, a scramble for the ball ensued, which led to a power tip by outside hitter Ella Schabort.
However, Iran called for a video review for net touch—and while this was unsuccessful, the head referee gave the point to the Iranians after spotting the overreaching violation by the Volleyroos.
After another exchange of points between the two squads, Caitlin Tipping iced the semis-clinching win for Australia after an emphatic cross-court hit, followed by an off-the-block attack.
Tipping fired 34 points on 30 attacks, one block, and three service aces. Emma Burton contributed 17 points, while Cassandra Dodd added 12 markers.
“This is a huge accomplishment. This was our goal for the tournament—was to make it to the top four, the fact that we achieved this was so good,” said Tipping.
“This was my fourth game back after the injury for a year, so I think coming back and proving to myself, proving to the team that I can be a teammate to them first has been really important,” she added.
Aytak Salamat paced Iran, who finished pool play with a 2-2 record, with 21 points. Middle blocker Mobina Sadat Ghafarian Anbarani added 13 in the loss.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan secured the last semifinal slot in Pool B after making quick work of Hong Kong, 25-17, 25-8, 25-4.
The Kazakhs showed no signs of slowing down after pummeling Hong Kong in all three sets. This included limiting their opponents to just four points in the third.
"This is [a] very serious game. It's the last chance [for us] to go to [the] semifinals. We understood this, and we need to win. Just win," said Anarkulova, who finished with 22 points on 19 attacks, one block, and two service aces.
Lam Shum was the lone double-digit scorer for Hong Kong with 10 markers.
In the day's first match, Vietnam kept its spotless record so far in the tournament with a four-set victory against Indonesia, 25-17, 25-15, 25-27, 25-13.
Facing the young Indonesian squad, Vietnam was once again led by the tandem of Vi Thi Nhu Quynh and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen, who dominated the first and second sets.
Come the third, 17-year-old Junaida Santi came alive for Indonesia to help the team steal the extended set.
But after brushing off the set defeat, it was business as usual for Vietnam as they completed the victory for a 4-0 record heading into the next round.
Fielding in different players for the match, Quynh finished with a game-high 26 points for Vietnam on 23 attacks, one block, and two service aces.
Tran Tu Linh contributed 11 markers, while Tuyen and Nguyen Thi Tra My had 10 apiece.
"The coaching staff had used a different rotation, different formation today to ensure everyone have a hit [on the ball], everyone be involved, and make sure everyone that everyone [is] ready to go when the crunch [time] comes," Vi told her translator.
Santi, meanwhile, continued to impress in the tournament, scoring 24 points for Indonesia in the loss. Bela Sabrina likewise had a solid outing, scoring 21 markers.
Vietnam will face Australia in the crossover semifinals, while Kazakhstan will go up against the Philippines.
On the other hand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Iran will compete in the 5th-8th place matches.