SIBU: Sarawak’s senior men’s and women’s volleyball teams continued their dominant run at the Sarawak International Volleyball Invitation (SIVI) 2025, remaining undefeated as the tournament enters a critical phase of international competition.
The Sarawak senior men’s team delivered a 3-1 victory over Taipei Municipal Nanhu HS, with set scores of 25-15, 25-19, 19-25 and 25-18.
This result solidified their unbeaten status, thanks in part to the inclusion of four imported players from Thailand, who have added valuable international experience and depth to the squad.
The Sarawak senior women’s team stayed unbeaten, showing strong teamwork and solid technical skills.
With help from two Thai imports, they remain in the running for the title as the tournament heats up.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Junior teams faced another round of tough matchups.
The Junior team went down 2-3 in a spirited five-set battle against Miri earlier in the tournament, followed by a 0-3 defeat to Hobby Ace from Mongolia in a subsequent match.
Despite the losses, the young players showed moments of promise and grit against more experienced international opponents.
The Sarawak Junior team, who suffered a setback against Mongolia, are preparing to face Sarakham from Thailand in their next game – a key match they hope will be a turning point in their campaign.
Coach Stephanie Law told the Sarawak Tribune that the tournament is not just about results, but about building long-term capacity.
“This international element supports our long-term vision of transforming Sarawak into a volleyball hub that welcomes world-class competition and builds players who are not just nationally ready, but internationally competitive.
“The primary goal of hosting this event is to elevate the standard of volleyball in Sarawak by providing our local athletes with international-level exposure and competition,” she said.
SIVI 2025 continues to attract attention as part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to elevate volleyball through international exposure.
She revealed that a team from Shanghai, China, is already being considered for next year’s edition, further signalling Sarawak’s ambition to become a hub for world-class volleyball competition.
The tournament not only benefits players but also fosters community pride and supports sports tourism – with fans, families and future athletes gathering to cheer on their local teams.
“Our long-term vision is to build a high-performance sports culture and prepare our athletes, especially the youth, for bigger stages like SUKMA 2026 and the SEA Games,” added Stephanie.
As SIVI 2025 enters its next phase, pressure builds on Sarawak’s unbeaten senior teams.
The tournament is being held at the Sibu Volleyball Indoor Stadium from July 29 to August 3, 2025.
