Will Trần Thị Thanh Thúy not play as an outside hitter at the World Championship?

Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt is weighing the option of having Trần Thị Thanh Thúy play as an opposite hitter at the 2025 World Championship to boost the Vietnamese women's volleyball squad.

Recently, Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt revealed the possibility of trying Trần Thị Thanh Thúy in the opposite hitter role within the Vietnamese women's volleyball team lineup for the 2025 World Championship in Thailand.

Although Thanh Thúy is traditionally an outside hitter, given the current roster situation, this position switch is seen as a key tactical solution. According to Coach Kiệt, using the 1997-born attacker as an opposite hitter will be decided on a match-by-match basis, depending on the specific circumstances and technical needs.

A year ago, Thanh Thúy participated in the 2024 FIVB Challenge Cup in the Philippines, where Vietnam finished third overall. While she was not the main scorer in matches against the Czech Republic or Belgium, the captain of VTV Bình Điền Long An played the role of a spiritual leader, frequently boosting her teammates' morale during challenging moments. After that tournament, she further confirmed her value not only through skill but also by inspiring others.

Currently, the Vietnamese women's team lacks a true specialist for the opposite hitter position. Hoàng Thị Kiều Trinh is the only player naturally suited for that role, but to enhance strength, the coaching staff wants to experiment with Thanh Thúy. Her experience and superior physique are considered factors that will diversify the lineup and make it harder for opponents to predict.

Before traveling to Thailand, Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt also confirmed that all outside hitters on the team have the ability to switch positions, thereby opening up multiple tactical options.

At the World Championship, Vietnam will face three tough opponents: Poland, Germany, and Kenya. These are all high-level teams, so Coach Kiệt’s careful approach to squad building is entirely justified. Thanh Thúy’s versatility between outside hitter and opposite hitter roles promises to give the team more options when confronting strong rivals.

Immediately following this tournament, Thanh Thúy will move to Japan to play for a new club, marking a significant milestone in her career.