Despite an unstable performance in serve receiving, the Chinese
women's volleyball team overcame Chinese Taipei in straight sets on
Monday at the Asian Volleyball Championships.
China, who are in trouble with fluctuating form, were defeated
by Japan in a previous game, leaving a shadow on the team's
campaign to win the 11th straight title in the continent's biggest
volleyball tournament.
Ma Yunwen's outstanding blocks helped China take an early edge
in the first game, a game in which their weakness in responding to
serves gave their rivals many chances to pull off a rally. But
Chinese Taipei, who were annoyed with unforced faults, missed all
of them.
Chinese Taipai nearly caught up with China, reaching 10-9 in the
second game. But vulnerability at the net eclipsed their surge,
while the experienced China produced an upturn in attacks, racing
out to a 25-17 win.
China eased to an 8-2 lead in the third game, when their rivals
failed to pick up the pace. Xue Ming made it 25-13 with a fast
break, which helped China wrap up the final victory.
China will play Australia on Tuesday.
(CRI September 11, 2007)