Hangzhou, China, July 8, 2023 – Japan made history on Saturday after pulling off dramatic four-set 25-19, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19 win against hosts China to be crowned champions in the 1st Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship at Hangzhou Normal University Cangqian Gymnasium.
Ahead of the highly-anticipated final showdown, a spectacular light show illuminated the lineups of both teams on the court.
In the first set, China’s captain and opposite Yang Shuming had a tough going as her aggressive attacks were safely saved and effectively blocked by the formidable Japanese, who bounced back mightily to take an early lead with a five-point clear at 6-1. After that, both sides traded attacks, but the Japanese still led the way to widen it to 16-11. China held their nerves and hit back, with Huang Yuexin producing two great serves to help China reduce the margin to 14-17. However, Japan had enough to hold the rivals off 22-16. China asked for timeout, but their attempts were in vain. As Japan took a commanding 24-19 lead, the Chinese had a dismal serve which caused them dear for the first set loss 19-25.
China made a strong start in the second set to establish an initial 3-0 lead, thanks to a powerful spike from Yang Shuming and two consecutive blocks. The gallant Japanese quickly clawed their way back into the game to level it at 6-6. After that, both sides similarly committed several unforced errors but Japan grabbed more scoring opportunities and gradually pulled away to lead 19-15. China utilized their height advantage to block solidly and successfully caught up with the visitors 21-21. Japan made use of the timeout and from then, regrouped for a strong comeback. Their more determination was handsomely rewarded as the Japanese stormed on to win the hard-fought set 25-22, with Kudo Hikari carrying out a well-placed serve to hand the team the last point.
Conceding two successive sets, China, playing with their backs against the wall, refreshed themselves in the third set as they spared no effort to uncork fierce attacks. They stormed to an early 10-6 lead. However, Japan stuck to their regular playing style of dogged defense with fast attacks to trail narrowly 13-14. China requested a timeout and thereafter, turned the heat on the rivals. Yang Shuming punctured the Japanese defence into shreds with her fierce attacks to help China win the set 25-17.
In the fourth set, Japan withstood the pressure and came up with some aces to take the lead with a four-point advantage at 7-3. However, China intensified their defence and worked wonders with their blocking to narrow the gap 9-10. Still, Japan responded well with attacks and effective blocks to extend it to 16-12 and never looked back after that. The Japanese led commandingly 24-19 before a powerful attack from Yuzuki Baba went unanswered to end the hosts’ comeback attempt.
Captain and opposite Yuzuki Baba scored a match-high 22 points for Japan, while Yang Shuming contributed 20 points on the hosts’ loss.
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation