RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian women’s volleyball team has set its sights on reaching the semifinals of the AVC Women’s Cup 2026, scheduled for June 6-14 at the Candon City Arena, the Philippines.

The team is determined to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish. Team manager Luciana Taroreh said the target is realistic thanks to the blend of senior players and former U21 talents.

“We hope this time we can raise our ranking compared to last year. Previously we finished fifth, and now we aim to reach at least the top four,” she explained after the team’s send-off in Sentul, West Java, on Tuesday, June 2, as quoted by Antara.

The squad consists of 14 players, combining experience and youthful energy to face tough competition. Luciana emphasized that all players are in good condition, allowing the team to prepare optimally before departing for the Philippines.

“We hope all Indonesians will pray for the team to give their all. Hopefully, our 14 players can perform at their peak and deliver strong results,” she said.

Luciana acknowledged that the tournament will be highly competitive, with Iran and Kazakhstan -- the reigning champion and runner-up -- seen as Indonesia’s main rivals.

She added that the team will also watch out for Hong Kong and Lebanon, stressing that no opponent will be underestimated.

To achieve the semifinal target, the coaching staff has prepared the squad with intensive training programs and several warm-up matches. Luciana believes this preparation will help the team adapt to the high level of competition.

Team captain Tisya Amallya Putri highlighted the importance of building chemistry between senior and junior players.

“The collaboration is going well because the juniors are not ordinary players. They have already represented the national team at youth levels,” she said.

Tisya explained that the seniors are focused on boosting the confidence of younger teammates. “Maybe some juniors feel nervous, so we seniors must support them to be more confident and enjoy the game,” said the setter.

She noted that the team has undergone a month-long preparation period before leaving for the Philippines. According to her, the duration was sufficient to strengthen teamwork and readiness for the Asian-level competition.

Tisya expressed optimism that Indonesia can achieve its target, recalling that last year’s team had less preparation time yet still managed to finish fifth.

With a stronger mix of experienced players and promising talents, she believes Indonesia is well-positioned to break into the top four at the AVC Women’s Cup 2026. ***