16th-ranked Thailand may be forced to make some unwanted adjustments, as opposite hitter Pimpichaya Kokram sustained a right knee injury toward the end of the 3rd set in its 3-1 victory over 34th-ranked Trinadad and Tobago in Pool C of 2018 FIVB World Championship Tuesday night.
Though Kokram was taken to the hospital for evaluation in a wheelchair, Thai head coach Danai Sriwachamaytakul was optimistic following the match.
“It was a tough game because the Trinidad and Tobago players have a big physique and are very tall and strong,” Sriwachamaytakul said. “Our defense found it hard against their attack. After the third set I thought Trinidad and Tobago looked a bit tired. Our No. 16 (Pimpichaya) will go to the hospital tonight to check her knee injury but we don’t think it looks serious.”
If she is lost for the remainder of the World Championship, it would be a big loss for Thailand. Kokram is the 7th-leading scorer overall in the competition with 51 points. Through 3 matches, she owns a .447 attack percentage and has registered a total of 46 kills.
Any missed matches for Kokram may push up the timetable on Chatchu-On Moksri’s return. She was added to the 14-player roster for the World Championships 5 days ago and was said to be 90 percent fit at the time. Moksri sprained her ankle in the quarterfinals at the Asian Games, but was the team’s leading scorer before the injury.
Thailand is 3rd in Pool C standings with a 2-1 mark and 6 points, behind the USA (3-0, 9 points) and Russia (3-0, 8 points). The Thia take on the Americans on Wednesday, before wrapping up pool play against Azerbaijan on Thursday.
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