AMMAN, Jordan — China and Kazakhstan opened their respective Pool C campaigns with separate wins in the opening day of the 2nd AVC Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship on Saturday at the Prince Hamzah Arena here.
China overcame a tough start to its campaign, pulling off a come-from-behind 11-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-19, 15-13 win over Korea in Pool C.
Despite losing the opening set by 14 points and going down 1-2 to Korea in the match, China never wavered and played inspired volleyball in front of their countrymen, who flew all the way to Amman to support the U16 squad.
Chen Xin Yi powered their comeback with 22 points built on 14 spikes and eight blocks,
“Everyone is united and happy. We lost the first set, but in the final, we got the victory,” said Chen. “[I will] accumulate this experience. Avoid the shortcomings of this game in the next game.
Xu Rui Lin backstopped Chen with 18 points, while Chen Rui Han chipped in 12 points before its next game against Qatar on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (Jordan time).
Son Seoyeon’s 30-point outing wasn’t enough to complete a win for the Koreans. Lee Dayeon had 18 points, while Jang Suin and Eo Minseo had 10 each.
Korea hopes to bounce back against Kazakhstan also on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan dominated Qatar, 25-8, 25-6, 25-5.
It only took 64 minutes for the Kazakhs to win their first game, unleashing a 10-0 start in the third set en route to a 20-point domination.
Aziya Oralbaveya and Saida Irismatova led Kazakhstan with nine points each. Ulyana Kokina chipped in eight points in two sets played, while Margarita Vagner fired six aces to finish with seven points, as coach Denis Issayev had the luxury of fielding all of his players.
Dana Saber Aboueita had three points — the player with the highest scoring output for Qatar.
In Pool A, Hong Kong, China overcame a second-set loss before fending off Uzbekistan, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18.
Yuet Mercy Mak led the collective effort of Hong Kong, China with 12 points. Wui Ching Chan delivered 11 points, while Wing Tung Lee and Yin Lam Yu added 10 points apiece.
Saodat Egamberdieva was the lone bright spot for Uzbekistan with 12 points.
Hong Kong, China eyes its second win against host Jordan on Sunday at 6 p.m., while Uzbekistan returns to action on Monday against the host.