TOP SCORER. Czech Republic outside hitter Michaela Mljenkova (No. 16) scores against Argentina's Lucia Herrera (No. 17) and Victoria Mayer (No. 14) during their match in the FIVB Challenger Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday (July 5, 2024). The Czechs won, 25-16, 25-22, 25-16. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Czech Republic defeated Argentina, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, to reach the semifinal round of the FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.
Team captain Michaela Mljenkova had 13 kills and a block, while opposite spiker Gabriela Orvosova contributed 10 attacks and two blocks.
The Czechs, who won the silver medal in the European Golden League, made 42 attacks and scored 24 points from their opponents' errors to arrange a meeting with the winner between host Alas Pilipinas and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup champions Vietnamese on Saturday.
“It’s great because this was the hardest game I think of the competition. It’s really an important game because if you win you stay if you lose you go home. So for us, it’s really important and yeah, I’m so happy we won,” said Mljenkova after the one-hour and 31-minute encounter.
“I think it doesn’t matter if it’s going to be host Philippines or Vietnam because if you want to qualify to the VNL, you have to beat everyone so actually it doesn’t matter for us,” added the 6-foot-1 outside hitter, who plays for Greek team Olympiacos Piraeus.
Helena Havelkova added 10 points, including two blocks and one ace.
Argentina, a bronze medalist in 2019, was paced by middle blocker Lucia Herrera with seven attacks and three blocks.
Outside hitter Elina Maria Rodriguez had eight attacks, while opposite Bianca Cugno chipped in six kills and one block.
The Challenger Cup, which is organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and headed by President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, offers a ticket to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) next year. (PNA)
