Bich Tuyen scored 45 of Vietnam's 107 points in their 3-2 victory over Thailand on the evening of 10/8. This achievement broke the record for the most points scored by a female player in a single SEA V-League match. The previous record of 41 points was also set by Bich Tuyen against Thailand in the first leg of the 2024 SEA V-League.
After the match, Bich Tuyen received praise from both Vietnamese and Thai fans. The player, born in 2000, also earned the respect of her opponents.
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Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (center in green) jumps from behind the 3-meter line to score a point during Vietnam's 3-2 victory over Thailand in the second leg of the 2025 SEA V-League women's volleyball tournament at Ninh Binh Provincial Gymnasium on 10/8/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong |
Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (center in green) jumps from behind the 3-meter line to score a point during Vietnam's 3-2 victory over Thailand in the second leg of the 2025 SEA V-League women's volleyball tournament at Ninh Binh Provincial Gymnasium on 10/8/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong
"Tuyen's spikes were very sharp," Thai captain Ajcharaporn Kongyot said at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 11/8. "She was practically the only one who could score decisive points for Vietnam."
Meanwhile, coach Kiattipong described Bich Tuyen as the key player and a crucial factor in Vietnam's historic win. The opposite hitter from Vinh Long scored 42 points from 76 attacks, the most in the match.
"A very impressive number. An important and outstanding player for Vietnam," the Thai women's national team coach said. "In the 5th set, she made 15 spikes and scored 10 points. I've never seen anyone score so many points in the 5th set from spikes."
Bich Tuyen's scores in each set were 9, 8, 10, 8, and 10. In addition to her 42 attack points, she scored two block points and one ace. Tuyen also won both the Most Valuable Player and Best Opposite Hitter awards in the second leg.
The second-best attacker at Ninh Binh Gymnasium was Pimpichaya, with 25 points, followed by Chatchu-on (19), Ajcharaporn (17), Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, and Vi Thi Nhu Quynh (11).
In the first leg of the 2025 SEA V-League, Vietnam lost to Thailand 2-3 on the opponent's court on 3/8. Bich Tuyen still scored 33 points but faced difficulties against the Thai blockers.
In the rematch, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet changed the system. Bich Tuyen attacked from the back row, position 6, to deliver powerful spikes from behind the 3-meter line, notably the final two points in the 5th set that secured the 16-14 victory. "Tuyen's points from the back row boosted the team's morale," coach Tuan Kiet said.
This match also saw captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy underperform. As a result, she was moved to the back row to focus on defense. Meanwhile, Vi Thi Nhu Quynh defended better than usual and brought a new dynamic to the attack from the 3rd set, forming a formidable opposite hitting duo with Tuyen. This could become a common attacking strategy for the Vietnamese women's national team in the future.
Born in Vinh Long, Bich Tuyen played for the local volleyball club from 2016 to 2020, including a loan spell to Binh Dien Long An in 2019. Since 2021, she has been playing for Ninh Binh. Bich Tuyen's presence has transformed the Vietnamese women's national volleyball team in the past two years on the continental and global stage.
According to World of Volley, Bich Tuyen also holds the record for most points scored by a female player in a single match. At the 2022 National Championship, she scored 61 points in the match between Ninh Binh and Than Quang Ninh. This achievement was not recognized by Guinness because the Vietnamese National Championship is not directly under the management of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).
Bich Tuyen also faced mental pressure due to suspicions about her gender. However, her participation in various Asian and world-level tournaments under the FIVB's management has changed the perspective of some fans.
Hieu Luong
