China, the bronze medalists of the women's volleyball at the 2005 Universiade in Turkey, beat defending champions Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-23, 27-25, 25-14) to step into the semifinals of the Bangkok Universiade on Tuesday.

 

China will meet the winner from Poland-Spain duel in the semifinal.

 

Leading Chinese Taipei in the breathtaking first two sets, China enjoyed a 10-4 run from the start of the third set and sealed the win with more powerful spikes.

 

China sent its Jiangsu provincial team, placing third in the league, to the Bangkok Universiade. Not a single player from the national team was included.

 

China coach Zhao Jincai told Xinhua News Agency after the quarterfinal that his players took full advantage of their height and better teamwork to control the match and played in initiative and patience.

 

"We deserve the win," he added.

 

Zhang Wanling, a player of the Chinese Taipei team, told Xinhua that the team in Bangkok was not the team in Turkey two years ago.

 

"Only one player from the team taking title in Turkey is included in this team," She added.

 

A total of 16 teams attended the women's volleyball competition in Bangkok. China qualified the group stage with three wins over Serbia, Canada and Slovakia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2007)