U.S.overpowers China in women's volleyball event
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, August 2, 2012
China was beaten by the world No. 1 U.S. in straight sets in the women's volleyball tournament of London Olympics on Wednesday.
|
|
| Wang Yimei of China smashes during women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the U.S. at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, Aug. 1, 2012. U.S. defeated China 3-0. [Xinhua] |
![Wang Yimei of China smashes during women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the U.S. at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, Aug. 1, 2012. U.S. defeated China 3-0. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20120802/000cf1bdc9db118421034a.jpg "Wang Yimei of China smashes during women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the U.S. at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, Aug. 1, 2012. U.S. defeated China 3-0. [Xinhua]")
The Chinese, once champion in 2004 Athens Games and bronze medal winner in Beijing Games, lost the match 24-26, 16-25, 29-31, as the American showed off their mighty attacks.
Wing spikers Destinee Hooker and Megan Hodge were both on top form for USA, who gave China major problems. Hookers stored the highest 22 points and China's young opposite hitter Zeng Chunlei, a surprising substitution when China was in inferiority, took 10 points for China.
"Despite the loss, I'm satisfied with the performances of my girls tonight. The U.S. team is the strongest team of our group. We missed some opportunities to win in every set, because we still have problems to manage some key moments," said China's head coach Yu Juemin.
Chinese captain Wei Jiuyue attributed the loss to the powerful service of Tom.
"Together with Tom's jump serves, the Americans showed high quality of attacking skills today, and we failed to cope with it. That's what we should learned from them," said Wei.
American head coach Hugh Mccutchen sung high praise for Hodge too. "She is very composed in the big moments. She always feels comfortable when the match or the set is on the line. We were very happy with her performance and the positive impact she made when we brought her on, " he said.
With the third win, the Americans booked a berth of the quarterfinals in advance, while China kept the hope to advance into top 8 with two wins over Serbia and Turkey previously.
China took a lead 3-1 at the opener, when the American fought back with Hooker's lethal spikes from right side of the court to tight to 7-all. Toms powerful serves devastated China's receives to help U.S. control the court and expand their advantage to 14-10.
|
|
| Chinese players celebrate after scoring during women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the U.S. at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, Aug. 1, 2012. U.S. defeated China 3-0. [Xinhua] |
![Chinese players celebrate after scoring during women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the U.S. at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, Aug. 1, 2012. U.S. defeated China 3-0. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20120802/000cf1bdc9db118420a449.jpg "Chinese players celebrate after scoring during women's volleyball preliminary round match between China and the U.S. at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, Aug. 1, 2012. U.S. defeated China 3-0. [Xinhua]")
China rallied back to take lead 23-20 with a 13-6 run with solid blocks and ace serves from opposite spiker Zeng Chunlei. Hooker stood out and help the U.S. lethal attacks to take the set point 24-23. Hui Ruoqi saved one set point for China, but it's also a out-of-court spike from her send the U.S. the set 26-25.
China took a lead 11-7 with wing spiker Wang Yimei's spikes and serves in the second set, when the Americans staged an impressive 17-3 run to lead 22-14. Again, Tom's serves and Hodge's attacks were proved to an ultimate omen to China's receives. The Chinese could barely organize effective counteractions and they lost the set 25-16.
China sent spikers Chu Jinling and Zeng Chunlei to replace their weary teammates Wang Yimei and Zhang Lei at the third set, which proved to be quite effective. The two sides fought tightly and changed the lead since the beginning of the third set to 23-all,When Hodge's spike and China's attack error helped the U.S. to win the set point 25-24.
The Stubborn Chinese saved five set points, but the two kills from Hooker and Hodge finally brought the end to the 100-minute battle.
China will take on defending champion Brazil on Aug. 3, while the Americans will face Serbia.
Besides Serbia, China will play in the same pool in London along with defending champion Brazil, world's No.1 U.S., Turkey and South Korea. Italy, Russia, Japan, Algeria, the Dominican Republic and host Britain make up the other six-team pool. The top four teams to emerge out of each pool will play the quarterfinals.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)