The FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) – Macao 2018, organized by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and the Volleyball Association of Macao, China, and presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), concluded today (24 May) at the Macao Forum.  Thailand won a thrilling game over Poland 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 21-25, 16-14) before Serbia made it three wins out of three by defeating China 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17).

The match Thailand v Poland was a treat for the fans as both teams were in fine form, producing several long rallies throughout. In set one, the Thailand team was more consistent with their side out opportunities ensuring that they led for the majority of the set. Chatchu-On Moksri gave her side some breathing room with a spectacular right side attack to go ahead 24-21. Both teams sided out until Thailand secured the set 25-22.

The next set was another close affair with Thailand again having the slight edge. Thailand pulled ahead 12-9, forcing Poland to take a timeout. The tactic worked as the Polish side roared back to take a 16-14 lead due to strong play at the net courtesy of Gabriela Polanska and Malwina Smarzek. Smarzek continued her strong play and made two consecutive spikes from the right side to close out the set for Poland.

Set three was another battle as neither team could manage more than a two point lead until Smarzek put down another powerful spike to give Poland a 14-11 lead. Thailand stayed close and battled back to tie the match at 20-20. An ace by Onuma Sittirak and a block by Pleumjit Thinkaow propelled Thailand to a 23-21 lead. The teams traded points until Thailand closed out the set 25-23.

Thailand continued its excellent play to start set four, jumping out to an early 5-1 lead. It was Poland however that fought bought and eventually grabbed its first lead at 17-16. It remained close until Poland’s Zuzanna made a spectacular block to give her team its biggest lead at 22-18. Poland held its lead and captured the set 25-21.

The final set was another hard-fought affair with Thailand having a one point lead at the court switch. A service ace by Chatchu-On Moksri gave Thailand a slim 11-9 lead but a monster block by Poland's Malwina Smarzek brought her team level at 12-12. The teams battled back and forth until Thailand’s Chatchu-On Moksri closed out the match with two consecutive spikes.

Chatchu-On Moksri led Thailand with 24 spikes and 3 aces. Malwina Smarzek was the top performer for Poland with 33 spikes, 4 blocks and 1 ace.

A full house of spectators provided an electric atmosphere for the match between China and Serbia. In set one, these two powerhouse teams put on a great display of volleyball with neither team able to create any kind of significant lead. China’s Liu Xiaotong put down a big spike to give her team the first sizeable lead at 22-18. A service ace by Gong Xiangyu brought up set point and China went on to take the set 25-21.

The second set was a real battle with the teams one point apart at both technical timeouts. Tijana Boskovic made a spectacular back court spike to give Serbia a 21-18 lead. China did battle back to within one point but it was Boskovic who stepped up again with a big spike, giving Serbia the set 25-23.

Set three offered more magnificent volleyball as both sides fought to take control of the set. A service ace by Bojana Milenkovic gave Serbia it first sizeable lead at 20-16. The teams played side out volleyball until Serbia closed out the set 25-21.

Serbia came out flying in set four, using some incredible defense to jump out to a 5-0 lead. China took an early timeout but it did not help as Serbia increased its lead to 8-2 at the first technical timeout. Serbia continued to force the play and was in complete control, in front 16-6 at the second technical timeout. The Chinese fought back late in the set but the huge Serbian lead was just too big to overcome. Serbia captured the set 25-17.

Tijana Boskovic was the top performer for Serbia with 25 spikes, 5 blocks and 2 aces. Gong Xiangyu led China with 11 spikes, a block and an ace.