Contradictions of the Dreams of the Women's National Volleyball Team

The dream of appearing at VNL is not in line with efforts to make it happen. In the AVC Challenge Cup, Indonesia fielded a back-up team.

ASIAN VOLLEYBALL CONFEDERATION

Outside hitter of the Indonesian women's national volleyball team, Putri Nur Hidayanti Agustin, throws a shot during the match against Hong Kong in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines, Thursday (23/5/2024) .

MANILA, THURSDAY — The Indonesian women's national volleyball team has to walk a long road to achieve their dream of appearing in world competitions such as the National Volleyball League or VNL. Moreover, this year's golden opportunity to fight for this dream was actually used to regenerate players. Dreams and efforts to achieve them become incompatible.

In front of Hong Kong, which incidentally has a lower world ranking, the Indonesian women's national volleyball team lost 0-3 (22-25, 24-26, 19-25). The defeat occurred in the inaugural match of the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, a competition at the continental level for the starting gate to the VNL, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines, Thursday (23/5/2024) .

Previously, the Chairman of the Central Management of the Indonesian Volleyball Association (PP PBVSI), Imam Sudjarwo, stated that the Indonesian national volleyball team's dream is to penetrate the VNL. During a exhibition match between the women's national team and the Korean Volleyball League club, Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, Imam stated that there is a greater goal with the formation of the team for the exhibition, namely to compete in the VNL.

This year is the last chance for Indonesia to qualify for the VNL through the AVC Challenge Cup. The winner of the AVC Challenge will represent Asia in the FIVB Challenger Cup, a tournament under the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The winner of the FIVB Challenger Cup will then have the opportunity to compete in the VNL, replacing the bottom-ranked team that has been relegated.

Also read: Including Megawati ”Megatron”, 14 Players Called for the AVC Challenge Cup

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Middle blocker of the Indonesian women's national volleyball team, Geofanny Eka Chayaningtyas, shoots during the match against Hong Kong in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines, Thursday (23/5/2024).

Therefore, this year's AVC Challenge Cup is Indonesia's best chance to qualify. In the 2025 edition, there will be no relegation for participants of VNL 2024. The participants who qualify for VNL are the top-ranked senior volleyball teams in the world who have not yet qualified for VNL. As such, Indonesia's path will be more challenging as they must improve their world ranking in order to qualify for VNL.

At first, Indonesia's chances this year were also big considering that Indonesia came with the status of a finalist last year. Most of the players called up are the same as the squad that won second place in the same event last year, such as Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi whose game is improving.

Experienced players like Wilda Siti Nurfadhillah and Agustin Wulandhari are also included in the call-up. There are only a few new names, one of which is Putri Nur Hidayanti Agustin, who is the recipient of the Future Women's Player award in the Livoli Main Division 2023.

Last year, our ranking jumped after beating Kazakhstan, Taiwan, and Australia in the AVC Challenge in Gresik. At that time, our ranking was outside of the top 90, whereas now we are 55th in the world.

However, Indonesia's great opportunity slowly diminished after the list of called players suddenly changed. The star players were cancelled and replaced by young players with minimal experience in international matches. The average age of the Indonesian squad is 19 years old, only second to Taiwan who also fielded substitutes with an average age of 18 years old.

The national team was also the only one among the 10 participants in the AVC Challenge Cup who did not maximize the 14-player slot. Indonesia only brought 11 players. The clash between the AVC Challenge Cup and Proliga is alleged to be the reason behind the change in the call-up.

Also read: Indonesian Women's Volleyball Maintains Perfection

ASIAN VOLLEYBALL CONFEDERATION

Indonesian women's volleyball players, Maradanti Namira Tegariani (left) and Junaida Santi, block a hit by a Hong Kong player in the AVC Challenge Cup 2024 game at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines, on Thursday (23/5/2024).

"The target (in AVC Challenge 2024) is to increase flying hours, our target is AVC Challenge 2025. "We are also targeting a silver medal at the upcoming 2025 SEA Games," said PP PBVSI Deputy Head of Achievement Development Loudry Maspaitella.

Indonesia's participation in the AVC Challenge is not apart from efforts to avoid losing points that can result in a decrease in rank. Loudry stated that if they do not participate, Indonesia would immediately lose 50 points. However, to achieve those 50 points, they must appear in several tournaments.

"Last year, our ranking jumped after defeating Kazakhstan, Taiwan, and Australia in the AVC Challenge in Gresik. At that time, our ranking was outside the top 90, but now we are 55th in the world," he said.

Also read: Gia-Duel”Megatron” Unfulfilled, Jakarta BIN Libas Jakarta Pertamina Enduro

However, the potential of a downgrade looms if victory cannot be achieved. For instance, after losing to Hong Kong, Indonesia temporarily dropped four ranks to 59th position. Australia's defeat against the Philippines, 1-3, in the following match caused them to lose points and Indonesia rose one level to 58th position. In contrast, Hong Kong's rank increased by one level to 67th.

Aside from Hong Kong, Indonesia is only ranked above Singapore, who is not listed in the world rankings. Indonesia will face Singapore on Friday, May 24th, 2024. As for the other two opponents in Group B, Indonesia is still behind Kazakhstan (31) and Vietnam (39). The match against Kazakhstan will be held on Saturday, May 25th, 2024, followed by the match against Vietnam the next day.