By Wang Leon
Xi’an, China, September 26, 2021 – Powerhouses Tianjin claimed their fourth National Games title after a convincing 3-1 (25-19, 18-25, 25-18, 25-17) victory over defending champions Jiangsu at the final showdown of China National Games Senior Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Aoxiang Gymnasium of Northwestern Polytechnical University here on Sunday night.
Tianjin started the final match with a net touch fault but soon came to a 10-5 lead relying on their sharp attacks and formidable defense. Despite a timeout requested by Jiangsu, Tianjin’s attempts in destructive service worked and they pulled off to a remarkable 20-11 lead. Led by Zhang Changning, Jiangsu gradually found their rhythm at the set end and chased up to 17-23 behind. However, Tianjin allowed no more chance to Jiangsu after a timeout and finished the first set 25-19.
Both teams played all out in the second set, seeing the score earned alternatively till 16-16 tie. Jiangsu took the chance to hit a first-touch ball and thereafter, had a scattering points from attacks and blocks to set up a cumulative lead. Following a service error gifted by Tianjin, Jiangsu evened the set with a pulsating 25-18 win.
Jiangsu played several tricky taps in the third set to reach a 9-7 lead, but their increased mistakes allowed Tianjin to turn around. Jiangsu struggled to cope with the diverse attacks of Tianjin but in vain. Following an aggressive spike by Yuan Xinyue, Tianjin took the third set 25-18.
In the fourth set, Tianjin put their defense on Zhang Changning’s attacks and had several effective blocks. When 3-7 behind, Gong Xiangyu stood out and helped Jiangsu chase up to 8-10 behind. But Jiangsu committed reception errors at the crucial moment and they were left behind once again. Tianjin showed their more weapons in attacks and blocks at the final stretch and shortly after that closed the fourth set 25-17 and the 3-1 match.
In the bronze medal contest earlier Sunday afternoon, Liaoning overwhelmed Shanghai 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-18) to clinch the third place, with Shanghai in fourth position.
The 14th Games of People’s Republic of China will come to an end on Monday in Xi’an city, capital of Shaan Xi Province. The 15th China National Games will be jointly held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
Competition Schedule and Results
Thursday, September 16
Henan v Shanghai 0-3 (19-25, 21-25, 19-25)
Guangdong v Zhejiang 2-3 (25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 16-25, 7-15)
Jiangsu v Tianjin 3-2 (25-19, 20-25, 25-23, 18-25, 19-17)
Liaoning v Shandong 3-2 (15-25, 25-22, 17-25, 25-17, 15-12).
Friday, September 17
Zhejiang v Jiangsu 1-3 (25-17, 23-25, 23-25, 24-26)
Shanghai v Shandong 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-21)
Tianjin v Liaoning 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-12)
Henan v Guangdong 1-3 (19-25, 16-25, 25-22, 19-25)
Saturday, September 18
Shandong v Tianjin 0-3 (24-26, 22-25, 16-25)
Liaoning v Zhejiang 3-0 (25-18, 25-11, 25-20)
Guangdong v Shanghai 0-3 (17-25,16-25,20-25)
Jiangsu v Henan 3-1 (25-14, 25-22,23-25,25-16)
Sunday, September 19
Zhejiang v Shandong 0-3 (17-25, 16-25, 11-25)
Henan v Liaoning 0-3 (16-25, 16-25, 20-25)
Guangdong v Jiangsu 0-3 (23-25, 19-25, 6-25)
Shanghai v Tianjin 0-3 (18-25, 23-25, 25-27)
Monday, September 20
Rest Day
Tuesday, September 21
Liaoning v Guangdong 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-13)
Jiangsu v Shanghai 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-16)
Shandong v Henan 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-15)
Tianjin v Zhejiang 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-17)
Wednesday, September 22
Jiangsu v Liaoning 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-19)
Guangdong v Shandong 0-3 (18-25, 11-25, 17-25)
Henan v Tianjin 0-3 (10-25, 17-25, 13-25)
Shanghai v Zhejiang 3-0 (25-19,25-19, 25-18)
Thursday, September 23
Tianjin v Guangdong 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-14)
Zhejiang v Henan 0-3 (23-25, 20-25, 21-25)
Liaoning v Shanghai 3-2 (15-25, 25-17, 13-25, 25-15, 15-7)
Shandong v Jiangsu 3-0 (27-25, 25-14, 25-19)
Friday, September 24
Rest Day
Saturday, September 25
Shanghai v Jiangsu 1-3 (19-25, 18-25, 25-12, 11-25)
Liaoning v Tianjin 0-3 (18-25, 13-25, 15-25)
Sunday, September 26
Shanghai v Liaoning 0-3 (16-25, 21-25, 18-25)
Jiangsu v Tianjin 1-3 (19-25, 25-18, 18-25, 17-25)
Final Ranking
1st place: Tianjin
2nd place: Jiangsu
3rd place: Liaoning
4th place: Shanghai
5th place: Shandong
6th place: Guangdong
7th place: Henan
8th place: Zhejiang
Related links of AVC
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