Nakhon Ratchasima QminC showcased its trademark cohesion and dominance at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, April 24, sweeping Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, to clinch the second semifinal berth in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League.

The Thai powerhouse, which topped Pool D, demonstrated surgical efficiency in the opener and rallied from a second-set deficit with a composed counterattack built on powerful hits and airtight floor coverage.

“We’re going to prepare for the semifinals. We have so many mistakes with our service and reception. We’ll go to practice and get ready,” said veteran Onuma Sittirak.

“I feel like we executed our game plan early, and we swept them today,” added Anysee Smith, who starred in the win.

Smith led the attack with 13 points on 11 kills, one block, and one ace, along with six excellent digs. Sittirak added 12 points, all on attacks, with five digs and six receptions. Sasipapron Janthawisut added a double-double effort of 12 points and 12 digs, plus five receptions, sparking a key second-set turnaround.

Tichakorn Boonlert and Kaewkalaya Kamulthala added nine points apiece for Nakhon Ratchasima, which remained unbeaten and advanced to a blockbuster semifinal duel against Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC on Saturday.

Creamline mounted a spirited stand in the second set, seizing a 13-9 advantage and later reclaiming a 19-18 lead through aggressive play from Bernadeth Pons and Jema Galanza. But the Thai squad swiftly countered with a 4-0 spurt, capped by Janthawisut’s spark off the bench, shifting the momentum for good.

Though the Cool Smashers trimmed the gap to 21-23, a service error by Jorella de Jesus gave set point to Nakhon Ratchasima, which eventually sealed the frame with a down-the-line hit.

In the third set, Creamline stayed within striking distance at 9-10, but the Thais unloaded a 7-2 run highlighted by sharp kills and suffocating blocks that widened the gap and sealed the outcome.

Guest player Anastasiya Kudryashova and Pons scored nine and eight points, respectively, for Creamline. The Russian added eight digs, while Pons tallied four digs and six receptions.

Kazakh middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets managed just seven points, and American outside hitter Erica Staunton was limited to two markers.

Despite the straight-set loss, the Cool Smashers exited their first international campaign with heads held high, proving their competitiveness against Asia’s volleyball elite. However, it was Nakhon Ratchasima’s experience, cohesion, and firepower that ultimately punched the ticket to the Final Four.

The tournament is backed by global federation partners Mikasa, Mizuno, and Grand Sport, and supported by local sponsors including PLDT, MWell, Eagle Cement, Rebisco, Akari, Gameville, PNVF, PSC, Cignal, and The Look Group.

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