Taiwan Captures Bronze at Inaugural AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup

Lyon Chiang, New York

Taiwan’s women’s national volleyball team claimed third place at the inaugural AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup after defeating Kazakhstan in a decisive 3–1 match. The win marks a significant achievement for the squad, which had limited preparation time and was competing against physically dominant teams.

In the bronze medal match held on June 14, Taiwan dropped the first set 17–25 to Kazakhstan, whose players enjoyed a clear height advantage. However, Taiwan responded with impressive resilience and strategic adjustments, taking the next three sets 25–13, 25–16, and 25–13. The turnaround reflected the team’s ability to adapt quickly and play with cohesion under pressure.

The AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, was introduced in 2025 as a rebranded version of the former AVC Challenge Cup. Designed to offer non-FIVB Nations League countries a pathway to international ranking points and tournament qualification, the event featured 11 teams split into two pools. The top two from each pool advanced to the semifinals.

Despite the bronze medal finish, Taiwan faced significant challenges in the lead-up to the competition. The team’s final roster was announced in January, but due to prior commitments to club tournaments—such as the AVC Women’s Champions League—many players were not available for joint training until late April. The full squad only began off-site training in May during a camp in Japan, which proved critical in building chemistry and coordination.

Head coach 鄧衍敏 (Demy Teng) expressed her pride in the team’s performance, noting the players’ determination and teamwork throughout the tournament. “We had very little time to train as a full team,” 鄧 (Teng) said. “But they came together quickly, executed our strategies well, and never gave up.”

Team captain 廖苡任 (Elaine Liao) provided leadership on and off the court, helping direct play and motivate her teammates. Key contributors included outside hitter 張稦豈 (Chang Yi-chi), who scored a game-high 23 points, and 劉雙菱 (Liu Shuang-ling), who consistently pressured Kazakhstan’s blockers with aggressive attacks. Their performances were instrumental in shifting the momentum after the first-set loss.

The bronze medal not only boosts Taiwan’s international ranking, but also builds momentum heading into future tournaments. While host nation Vietnam claimed the gold medal and automatic qualification for the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, Taiwan’s finish positions them well for continued progress on the international stage.

Coach 鄧 (Teng) confirmed that the team’s next objectives include preparation for the FISU World University Games and the 2026 Asian Games. “This tournament proved that we belong among Asia’s top teams,” she said. “We’ll continue working hard to get even stronger.”

Taiwan’s bronze medal at the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup signals the rise of a new generation of players and a renewed focus on international competitiveness, marking a proud moment for the nation’s volleyball program.

Taiwan English News is an independent publication with no corporate funding. If you found this article informative, and would like to support my work, please buy me a coffee or support me on Patreon. Subscribe to Taiwan English News for free to receive the latest news via email. Advertising queries are welcome. Share, like, comment below.