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)