Thailand opened their FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League 2025 campaign with a 3-0 loss (22-25, 24-26, 22-25) to sixth-ranked Poland at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing on Wednesday.
Coach Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai gave 19-year-old rising star Warisara Seetaloed a start alongside captain Ajcharaporn Kongyot and veterans Pornpun Guedpard, Hattaya Bamrungsuk, Thatdao Nuekjang and Pimpichaya Kokram.
A number of other young players are expected to get playing time as the tournament goes on and Kiattipong seeks to develop the next generation of talent.
Poland, who won the bronze medal in the last two editions of the VNL, were much taller than the Thai team and their blocks made the difference as the world No.6 side prevailed in three entertaining games.
Opposite spiker Pimpichaya was the biggest contributor to Thailand’s tally, scoring 22 points, while outside hitter Warisara had eight points.
Outside hitter Martyna Czyrnianska was Poland’s top scorer with 17 points, while opposite spiker Magdalena Stysiak chipped in 15 points.
Poland held the edge in most statistical categories but the 13th-ranked Thai side scored 19 points from opponent errors, against just 10 by their adversaries.
Thailand is competing in Pool 3 against Poland (ranked 6th), Belgium (15), China (4), Turkey (5) and France (19). Their next match is against Belgium on Thursday at 3pm local time.