China’s women beat Ukraine in Hong Kong to snap losing streak at Volleyball Nations League
Led by outside hitter Zhuang Yushan and middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan, coach Zhao Yong’s side secure boost before facing No 1 side Italy
China’s women’s volleyball team snapped a three-game losing streak on Thursday with a convincing 3-0 win over lowly Ukraine at Kai Tak Arena.
The win marked only China’s fifth victory in 10 Women’s Volleyball Nations League appearances this season, though that statistic will not hamper their guaranteed participation in the season’s final round, which will be played in Macau from July 22 to 26.
With Wednesday a rest day at the Fifa World Cup, China state broadcaster CCTV showed the match live countrywide and world No 7 China did not disappoint, bouncing back to secure a much-needed win before Sunday’s clash with Italy.
Led by outside hitter Zhuang Yushan and middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan, China were never behind, and led by as many as eight points before taking the opening set 25-18.
Ukraine surged to an early lead after the restart and once led 17-12, but Zhao Yong’s side was not to be put off by a somewhat empty arena and managed an 8-2 run to swing the momentum and steal the second set 25-22.
The momentum was with the hosts as they withstood the pressure in the third set before winning it 25-20 to seal the victory, with Zhuang and Wang leading the team with 18 and 16 points respectively.