Coach complains as ‘pretty player’ becomes distraction for team

KAZAKHSTAN - A teenage volleyball player is hearing complaints from her teammates and coaches that her good looks have become a distraction for the team. Sabina Altynbekova, 18, plays for Kazakhstan's junior national team.

Thank you so much Taipei. We miss you. With ❤️ Sabina#20 #Kazakhstan☝️

A post shared by Sabina Altynbekova | S20 🦋 (@altynbekova_20) on Jul 25, 2014 at 3:23am PDT

While her team competed in a tournament in Taiwan, her coach said the crowds were too focused on Sabina, #20.

I ❤️ Kazakhstan. Do you love #Kazakhstan?

A post shared by Sabina Altynbekova | S20 🦋 (@altynbekova_20) on Jul 27, 2014 at 11:20am PDT

"Fans just stare at her and they are not following the game," coach Nurlan Sadikov told reporters at the tournament. He said there has been too much attention -- especially on social media -- about the teenager's looks and not enough about his team's performance.

Sabina said while she is flattered by the attention, she would rather concentrate on playing volleyball.

Завтра играем с Тайландом. Удача нам не помешает. Tomorrow we play with Tailand at 13:45 in university of taipei gym. Come cheer fot #Kazakhstan. We wait☺️ Interview: http://msnews.n.yam.com/mkarticle.php?article=20140718018698

A post shared by Sabina Altynbekova | S20 🦋 (@altynbekova_20) on Jul 18, 2014 at 6:53am PDT

The teenager has more than a quarter-million followers on Instagram where she posts photos before, during and after matches.