Nepal pushes limits against Russian volleyball giants in friendly series

Kathmandu, July 23: Nepal failed to win a single set in two of the friendly matches played against Russia on July 21 and 22. However, Nepali women’s volleyball players demonstrated why they needed to play more against world-class teams.

Anticipated to lose against Russia, a country reigning as one of the best in volleyball, the first friendly match results showcased the gap between Nepal and top-tier teams. Nepal lost the first three sets on Sunday with a score of 17-25, 19-25 and 15-25. 

Nevertheless, Nepali players raised their standards alongside the expectations of the fans that they could win a set against a taller, more powerful and professional Russian team, in the second and third sets of the second friendly.

Unable to cross the 20-point mark in any of the three sets on Sunday, Nepali players lost the first set of Monday with a massive gap (14-25) as well. The team also got defeated in the second and third sets but with scores of 23-25 and 22-25 respectively.

Russia’s No. 7, Anastasiya Azanova, a left-handed spiker, who was a headache for Nepal on the first day, continued on Monday from where she left off. 

It seemed as if Azanova’s dominance would be consistent but Nepali blockers started keeping her in check, sometimes completely shutting her down, from the second set. 

Nepal was able to equal the points (10-10) with Russia in the second set. Earning points turn-wise continued until Nepal-Russia were at 17-18. 

Determined not to lose against Nepal even if it was only a friendly, Russian players looked dangerous when the gap was narrowed. From a point gap, Russia took the second set in their favour after reaching the set point when Nepal was at 19. On the other hand, Nepali players were also not ready to lose so easily. 

“Nepali players do not let the ball touch the ground, so I believe it will be fun. We will use our height advantage while Nepali players will use their patience and dedication,” Russia’s captain Maria Babeshina said in the pre-match conference on Saturday. And her expectations were turned into reality on Monday.

Keeping the rally on, Nepali players were able to turn the tides in the second set when they took the score to 23-24 from 19-23. A service out from Nepal gave Russia the final point of the second set.

The third set was more competitive. Nepal started the set with a two-point lead and was on equal footing until the middle as the two teams tied their points at 11. The match, alongside the friendly competition, came to an end at 22-25 with a strong spike from Azanova.

“If we want to improve, we need to face better teams,” Nepal’s coach Jagadish Prasad Bhatta said in the press conference on Saturday. He was seen tired at the end of the match on Monday, but he seemed proud of the team when the ball was in play as the players were showing improvement and promise.

Nepali spikers were using options against Russia’s block. The spikers were forcing their way when they saw a gap and opted for rebounding or aiming their spike at the blocker’s fingertips, effectively tooling the block.

However, Russia’s height advantage was still their tool. When Nepali players jumped to block the spike, Russian players could easily turn the spike into a tip with their height. 

Yet, it was still tiring for Russian players as Nepali players were starting to read them well despite playing with such tall and powerful players for the first time. The players showed that they have still not reached their limits.  

Nevertheless, as revealed by the Nepal Volleyball Association, Russia’s head coach Yuri Marichev, also a former Turkish player, will be working with the Nepali team as a coaching consultant as Nepali women prepare for the CAVA Women’s Volleyball Nations League being hosted by Kathmandu from August 1 to 7.