Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 3, 2023 – China continued their unbeaten run in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship, easing past India in a totally one-sided battle 25-9, 25-10, 25-12 in round of Top 8 at Chartchai Hall on Sunday.
Zhou Yetong and Zhong Hui scored 16 points apiece for China, while Soorya, Dhanam Palanivel Ezhilmath and Nirmal delivered 5 points each for India.
China, which captured the Chengdu Universiade last month, finished their first round atop Pool D and played their first Top 8 clash in Pool E against India, second place from Pool B.
Powered by outside hitter Wu Mengjie, opposite hitter Zhou Yetong and middle blocker Yang Hanyu, China got off to a brilliant start to lead 15-6 in the first set, with Zhou and Wu penetrating the Indian defence with their swift spectacular attacks and Zhou and Yang producing efficient blocks. India bagged some points from Nirmal’s aggressive spikes, but after that were prone to attacking errors which cost them dear. China took the easy set 25-9.
Conceding one set, India fought back in the second set, but their efforts did not pay off well, as the Chinese continued their onslaughts, tearing the rivals’ defence apart with attacks and blocks. China took the commanding lead with a 10-point clear at 18-9 and never gave India any chance of comeback. Middle blocker Liu Yu hit a lightning-fast spike to hand China the set point at 25-10 before Zhong Hui hammered an overpass killer for the set win 25-10, again without much effort.
In the third set, India led from the beginning 5-3, but that was the only brief chance they could enjoy. Shortly after that celebrated moment, things started to turn sour for India. China gradually pulled their game together and counter-attacked well, with Zhong on fire to score a spectacular series of four consecutive points to help the team level it at 5-5 and surge away to 8-5. China stayed in control until they reached the 20-12 lead and after that, coach Zhao Yong rested their best players and replaced them with substitutions. The Chinese went on their exceptional performance to win the comfortable set 25-12 and match.
The China’s dominance was visible in the match stats as the winners dominated in kills (44 to 21), ace serves (3 to 1) and blocks (12 to 1), besides benefiting from more opponent errors (16 to 8).
“It’s our first match in the round of Top 8 and so, we have to prepare our team as well as possible. We next play Japan, one…
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