Wuhan, China, October 17, 2019 – Hosts China and DPR Korea claimed their second victories in comfortable straight sets, while Germany and Canada tasted their first wins on Day 2 of the 7th CISM Military World Games Women’s Volleyball Tournament at Jianghan University Gymnasium on Thursday.
In the first match, Kim Hyon Ju scored a team-high 13 points including 12 attacks from 25 attempts to power DPR Korea to their second consecutive victory by defeating France 3-0 (25-9, 25-10, 25-14).
DPR Korea came into the match quickly and zoomed into a huge lead, leaving France too far behind to close the gap. A stellar performance from Kim Hyon Ju was instrumentali in lifting the DPR Korea’s set win in a short time. With France struggling to find their footing, DPR Korea took an advantage of the opponents’ weakness to take the second set 25-10. In the third set, the Koreans made the most of the better situation to close the set with a convincing 25-14 win.
Meanwhile, Canada took almost 150 minutes to gain their first victory against the Norceca counterparts USA 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 19-25, 21-19) on Thursday afternoon.
Stephan Kara Brooke scored a match-high 22 points for Canada, while Collins Norah Marie added 18 points. Stremick Justine led USA with 16 points.
The match featured power versus power in a battle of the Norceca teams. Canada came out strong on attacks in the opening set and put pressure on USA with terrific serves. They finally clinched the set 25-23.
USA fought back in the second set, attacking and serving well. They grabbed the lead and took the set 25-20. Canada again took back the momentum in the third set with solid blocking and good attacking to seal this set 25-18. The fourth set was tight, going point by point. Following a thunderous ace by Feldpausch Maria, USA kept themselves back to the battlefield by winning the set 25-19.
The decider turned out to be a dramatic tie-breaker as Canada established their lead to 8-3 with some hits by Collins Norah Marie before USA roared back to tie 9-9 with Hall Abby’s key spikes. Both teams then traded points from 14-14 to 19-19 with neither side able to get much separation. Canada showed more energy at the crucial moment and they finally closed the set 21-19 and the see-saw match 3-2.
In the third encounter, Germany picked up their first victory by beating the Netherlands in straight sets 25-18, 25-13, 27-25, leaving the rivals to taste the savour of their second loss in Pool B on Tuesday afternoon.
Germany Captain Kostorz Sina topscored with 17 points, while Faust Elke contributed 13 points.
In the first set, Germany led 8-2 at the first technical timeout, thanks to the impressive performance of Vukovic Jana. Germany then widened the gap to 21-14 as the Netherlands saw their attacks rejected by Germany’s excellent blocking. Germany closed out the set 25-18. The second set provided more of the same situation, as Germany scored on quick strikes to a 25-13 win. At the third set, the Netherlands played solidly in serving, blocking and attacking to keep up with Germany till 24-24. But German refused to play the fourth set as finally finished the hard-fought set 27-25 and match 3-0.
The last match of the day saw hosts China claim a comfortable 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-21) victory over title-holders Brazil to delight all the home spectators.
Li Yingying chipped in with a match-high 18 points for China. Brazil were unable to block well facing the high and quick attacking from China as they only sneaked 3 points from blocking.
In the first set, Brazil led 8-6 at the first technical timeout before Yuan Xinyue’s excellent spikes brought China to a commanding16-13 lead at the second technical timeout. China’s successful challenge gave them a set point at 24-17 and they took the set 25-17 on a miscue by Brazil.
Accumulating confidence from the first set win, China quickly grabbed an 8-3 lead in the second set on a double block by Yuan Xinyue and Zhou Yujie. The stubborn Brazilians tried to match up with the Chinese and kept the 5-point gap to 15-20. Following a double block by Gao Yi and Li Yingying as well as heavy spikes by Wang Yunlu, China took the set 25-16.
In the third set, China took an 8-7 lead benefiting from Liu Yanhan’s frightful spikes. Cheered by louder and louder supporters, China came to the match point at 24-18 following an ace by Yuan Xinyue. A powerful attack from Li Yingying went without responding to end this set 25-21 and match 3-0.
The women’s volleyball competition of the 7th CISM Military World Games 2019 will move to Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium for the remaining matches on October 20 to 22 after the grand opening ceremony of the Games at Wuhan Sports Center. The final showdown will be held on October 22 to decide the gold medal in the women’s event.
Wuhan, the capital of Hunan Province and the largest city of China central area, was granted the right in May 2015 to host the 7th CISM Military World Games 2019. This is for the first time that China hosted the CISM Military World Games. The Games will be open on October 18 and closed on October 27.
MATCH RESULTS AND SCHEDULE
October 16
At Jianghan University Gymnasium
10:00 BRA vs CAN 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-12)
13:30 NED vs FRA 2-3 (19-25, 25-16, 25-17, 21-25, 11-15)
15:30 GER vs PRK 0-3 ( 8-25, 9-25, 13-25)
19:30 CHN vs USA 3-0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-16)
October 17
At Jianghan University Gymnasium
10:00 PRK vs FRA 3-0 (25-9, 25-10, 25-14)
13:30 CAN vs USA 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-18, 19-25, 21-19)
15:30 NED vs GER 0-3 (18-25, 13-25, 25-27)
19:30 CHN vs BRA 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-21)
October 20
At Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium
10:00 BRA vs USA
13:30 GER vs FRA
15:30 PRK vs NED
19:30 CAN vs CHN
October 21
At Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium
10:00 3rd PoolA vs 4th PoolB
13:30 3rd PoolB vs 4th PoolA
15:30 1st PoolB vs 2nd PoolA
19:30 1st PoolA vs 2nd PoolB
October 22
At Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium
10:00 Final for 7th/8th
13:30 Final for 5th/6th
15:30 Final for 3rd/4th
19:30 Final for 1st/2nd
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