Former Thai women’s national team captain Willavan Apinyapong has spoken highly of Wipai Sittong’s performance at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2023.
The Thai women’s national team has found another new player in this year’s VNL after a successful generation change. Wipai Sittong 메이저놀이터 will be playing in South Korea next season. Wipai will be wearing a Hyundai E&C jersey for the 2023-2024 season through the Asia Quarter, so many Korean fans will be more focused on her performance.
In last year’s VNL, Yipai was named to the roster but didn’t play. This VNL is different. He made the roster for Week 1 and played in all four games in Week 1, scoring 30 points.
Notably, in Thailand’s second game against Canada, Wipai led the offense with 18 points, alongside Chachuon Moxley (17 points).
Willavan, a former Thai national team captain, spoke out. Speaking to Thai media outlet PPTV on July 7, Willavan said, “Wipai’s development is amazing for the team. He made the 14-man roster and performed well. She deserves it.” “Even though it’s her first game, she can score in all aspects: serve, spike, block. She doesn’t seem to have any pressure. Usually in the first match you’re nervous, but she’s not. I think it will help the team a lot, and the more substitutes you have in the team, the faster you improve.”
Thailand went 2-2 in Week 1, facing Italy, Canada, Poland, and South Korea in that order. They lost to Italy and Poland. In the upcoming Week 2, they will face Germany, USA, Serbia, and Croatia.
Born in 1999, the rising Thai outside hitter is not the biggest player at 5-foot-9, but she makes up for it with her jumping power and quick swing. She began her professional career in Thailand in 2013, and after playing in Vietnam, she will join Hyundai E&C in the Korean V-League for the upcoming season.