Olympic and World Cup double champions China savored their opening
victory as they eased past the Netherlands in straight sets at the
Baxy Cup China International Women's Volleyball Tournament?in
Beijing?on Thursday.
"Both teams played on a high level compared with the matches in
Ningbo," said Chinese head coach Chen Zhonghe. "The veterans have
adjusted themselves to good form, the young players also played to
a great standard."
China were taken aback before rallying from 2-1 down to overcome
the Netherlands 3-2 in the Beilun Cup China International Women's
Volleyball Tournament held from May 26 to 28 in Ningbo.
Thursday's first set was hotly contested as the two teams
battled from 1-all to 4-all. The Chinese women pulled away first,
jumping to a comfortable 19-13 lead.
However, captain Visser and spiker Flier contributed two points
apiece to lead a 7-1 burst leveling it at 20-20 for the
Netherlands. China then stayed cool to wrap up five of the last
seven points to take the set at 25-22.
The Dutch women pulled away from 2-2 tie for an early 8-5 lead
in the second set. The match became even tougher the rest time as
the tie appeared most of the way.
From 20-20, the Chinese women extended lead to 22-20 following
two blockings. The Netherlands managed to beat off one set point as
China led 24-22, but the Chinese women converted on the next
through spike from Liu Ya'nan to win the set at 25-23.
"We did not do very well in the first two sets. We have chance
to win but we made many unforced errors," said Selinger, head coach
of the Netherlands, "Our attack got stuck in the third set. The
team was lacking organization to let China get control of the
match."
"We need to improve our attack but it will take time," added
Selinger.
China took the third and the whole match at 25-15 without
meeting real resistance from the Netherlands.
In an earlier match, Olympic bronze medallists Cuba rallied from
one set down to overcome Russia 3-2 for their opening victory.
Friday's competition will feature China versus Cuba and Russia
facing the Netherlands.
The four teams, who are competing in the three-day round-robin
tournament, have just competed in the Beilun Cup China
International Women's Volleyball Tournament, where China and Cuba
finished first and second respectively.
(Xinhua News Agency June 2, 2006)