Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

The Thailand women’s national volleyball team played their third match in Week 3 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 but sadly lost to the strong team of the Dominican Republic. The match took place on Friday night, July 11, in Arlington, United States.

How the Match Went

The Thai team played with all their effort and showed determination on the court. However, the Dominican Republic team was very powerful in their attacks and defence, and Thailand could not win any sets.

The final scores of the three sets were:

• First set: Dominican Republic won 25-21
• Second set: Dominican Republic won 25-18
• Third set: Dominican Republic won 25-23

Although Thailand lost 0–3 in straight sets, they gave their best, especially in the third set where they almost won but lost by just two points.

Top Players and Points

For Thailand, the highest scorer was Ajcharaporn Kongyot. She played very well and earned 13 points for the team.

 Other Thai players who scored well were:

• Thatdao Nuekjang with 9 points
• Pimpichaya Kokram also with 9 points
• Thanacha Sooksod who scored 7 points

On the Dominican Republic side, their strongest player was Brayelin Martínez, who scored 17 points in the match. Her powerful spikes and smart play helped her team win easily.

Match Highlights

In the first set, Thailand started strong and kept the scores close. They tried to block and defend well against the Dominican Republic’s tall attackers. However, towards the end, the Dominican team pushed ahead and took the set 25-21.

The second set was tough for Thailand. The Dominican Republic players served strongly and attacked quickly, not giving Thailand many chances to score. Thailand lost this set 25-18.

In the third set, Thailand showed great fighting spirit. Their players worked together and scored many points to stay close to the Dominican Republic. At one point, the scores were tied, giving hope to Thai fans. But at the last moment, the Dominican Republic scored two points to win the set 25-23 and end the match.

Coach’s Efforts

The coach of the Thailand team encouraged the players throughout the match. He gave advice on how to block better and how to receive the strong serves from the Dominican Republic. Even though they lost, the team gained good experience playing against such a powerful opponent.

Upcoming Match

Thailand will not give up. Their next match will be against Canada on Monday morning, July 14, at 3:00 am Thai time. The team is now preparing for this match with hopes of winning and improving their position in the tournament.

Why This Match Was Important

The Volleyball Nations League is one of the biggest international tournaments where the best teams from around the world compete. For Thailand, playing in VNL helps them learn and improve their skills by playing against taller and stronger teams. Even if they lose, every match teaches them valuable lessons that help them grow stronger for future competitions like the Asian Games and World Championships.

Fans and Support

Many Thai fans were awake late at night to watch their team play. On social media, they praised the players for their efforts and asked them to keep fighting in upcoming matches. Fans also shared encouraging messages, saying that they were proud of the team no matter the result.

One fan wrote,
“Ajcharaporn played so well today. We are proud of you and the team. Keep fighting, Thailand!”

Another fan said,
“Don’t be sad about losing. Every match makes us stronger. We support you always.”

About the Opponent Team

The Dominican Republic women’s volleyball team is known for its tall and powerful players. They have competed in many international tournaments and are ranked among the top teams in the world. Their quick attacks and strong serves make them a tough opponent for any team.

Although Thailand lost this match, their journey in the Volleyball Nations League 2025 is not over. They still have more matches to play and chances to win. The team is working hard under their coach’s guidance and practising every day to fix their mistakes and improve their strategies.
Playing against strong teams like the Dominican Republic is not easy, but it helps Thailand understand what they need to do to become better. With determination, teamwork, and support from their fans, the Thailand women’s volleyball team will continue to fight bravely in the VNL 2025 and make their country proud.