Olympic champions China stormed to a straight-set victory over Poland at the women's volleyball world Grand Prix Ningbo leg yesterday.

Yang Hao paced China with 13 points in the 25-22, 25-15, 25-14 rout at the Beilun Sports and Arts Center.

Mirek Joanna was the top scorer for Poland with 11 points.

Poland started off well in the first set, leading all the way until China level at 10-10. China led for the first time at 14-13, but Poland won four points in a row to overtake the lead at 17-14.

After China launched a 5-2 run to equalize at 19-19, the Poles made a few faults and surrendered the set 25-22.

The Chinese team dominated the following two sets with powerful spikes and solid blocking to close out the match in just 64 minutes.

The Beilun leg is part of a qualifying campaign featuring 12 of the world's top teams. The top five teams from the qualifying rounds join hosts Italy in the World Grand Prix finals, which run from September 6-10 in Reggio Calabria, Italy.

(XInhua News Agency September 3, 2006)