Zhu Ting (center) of China goes for a spike during the preliminary round of women’s volleyball Pool A against the United States at the Paris Olympics on July 29, 2024. (Xinhua/Lai Xiangdong)

PARIS, July 29 (Xinhua) — The Chinese women’s volleyball team narrowly defeated the reigning champion, the United States, 3-2 on Monday at the Paris Olympic Games.

China won the first two sets quickly, but the US made immediate strategic adjustments, including replacing winger Jordan Larson with Avery Skinner, which revitalized their game and decided the match in a decisive fifth set.

In their previous meeting at the Tokyo Olympics, China had lost to the US, with the Americans eventually winning gold. This time, China turned the tables with a 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 15-13 victory.

Andrea Drews of the United States blocks the ball during the match. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

In the first set, the U.S. team gave away six points to China through unforced errors, while China conceded only two. The U.S. started the second set strongly, but Yuan Xinyue’s consecutive solo blocks turned the tide, dismantling the U.S. momentum and giving China a 5-0 scoring run before winning the set 25-19.

In the third set, the US took an early lead with an impressive performance from Skinner, who contributed seven points from 12 spikes and inspired the US to win the set 25-17. In the fourth set, the US continued their momentum before winning the set 25-20.

China’s spiker Li Yingying’s attacking efficiency improved in the fifth set, scoring two points in a row. Star player Zhu Ting provided China’s match point.

“Their substitution of two key wingers did indeed affect us. We played a bit conservatively and didn’t adjust our tempo well. However, it is commendable that the team held on in the fifth set,” said China head coach Cai Bin.

“We must not expect the matches to go too smoothly and must prepare for the most difficult situations,” he added.

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha