China rallied from two sets down to beat Cuba 3-2 Friday to claim the title of the 2009 International Women's Volleyball Tournament with three straight wins.
With the hard fought 21-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21 and 15-13 victory, the Chinese, who had been crowned in Luohe on Sunday, collected its second trophy in one week.
Coming off two consecutive full set losses against Dominican Republic and Turkey on Wednesday and Thursday, Cuba got off to a flying start in the opening set, jumping to a 6-1 lead and held it to 19-13.
The Chinese women managed to pull within 19-18, but Cuba answered with a 4-1 run and held on to make it one set to nil.
China went back with improved reception in the second set for an early 7-5 lead on back of a kill and two kills of Xue Ming. Nancy Carrillo had two smashes and Yusidey Silie added another as Cuba went into the first technical time-out ahead at 8-7.
Then the two teams exchanged leads until Cuba pulled away from 19-18 with a 4-1 burst and Carrillo teamed up with Ana Cleger to stuff Wang Yimei for the set winner.
Chinese head coach Cai Bin replaced Wang Yimei and other regular starters including Li Juan and Chu Jinling with young spikers Yin Na, Hui Ruoqi and Zhao Yanni who gave the host the energy to clinch the next three sets.
"The regular starters are pretty tired after 50 days of training and five games in Luohe and Kunshan, while the young players are more energetic," said Cai Bin at the press conference. "I am very happy with the bench players' performance in the last three sets."
Xue Ming led China with 20 points and side hitter Hui Ruoqi came from the bench to make 12 kills in 20 tries and two blocks for 14 points.
"When the coach gives you a chance, you should take it. I am happy I took my chance today," said the 18-year-old Hui.
"The coaches encouraged me a lot before I went into the court and it helped me play to my standard."
Earlier on Friday, Dominican Republic beat Turkey in straight sets to finish second in the four team round robin tournament with two wins against one loss. Turkey came in third with an 1-2 record ahead of Cuba, who dropped all three matches in full sets.
(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2009)
