Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, August 31, 2023 – Fired-up China claimed their second win in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship following their sensational 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-17) in their preliminary Pool D clash at Chartchai Hall here on Thursday.
Wu Mengjie scored a match-high 18 points from 15 attacks, 2 blocks and one ace for China, while Zhong Hui and Yang Hanyu added 10 points apiece for the winning team. Alyssa Solomon contributed 13 points on the Philippines’ losing effort.
China, fielding their team players whose squad captured the Chengdu Universiade early this month, made a solid start in the opening set against Filipinas, who went down 2-3 in a tight contest against Kazakhstan in the previous match.
Leading 14-8 in the first set, China, whose height average is 185cm against Philippines’ 170cm, used their height advantage to attack powerfully and block effectively to extend it to 21-14. Though Philippines, led by the team’s tall Alyssa Solomon, fought back hard, China showed no mercy to the smaller-built rivals to take the first set without much effort 25-15.
Surprisingly, both teams locked horns in a tight contest from the very beginning of the second set which saw China and Philippines fight neck and neck. The score was levelled at 11-11 and then 16-16 before China found their rhythm and surged away 24-18, needing only one more point to wrap up the set.
However, the Philippines did not give up easily. Solomon hammered a powerful hit and Nina Ytang carried out an ace to help save two set points before Yang Hanyu attacked devastatingly to end the rivals’ challenge in this set. China won 25-20.
The third set was also thrilling with both teams giving their best effort for the win. At 14-14, China stormed on their relentless attacks The 189cm Wu Mengjie and the 196cm Yang Hanyu tore the Philippine defence apart with their spectacular attacks to help the team capture the set 25-17 and match.
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