China overpowers Turkey in women's volleyball

China's Wang Yimei (R) spikes the ball as Turkey's Naz Aydemir (L) and Eda Erdem Dundar try to block the shot during their women's Group B volleyball match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court July 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - China harvested a second win and made a solid step to the quarterfinals in women's volleyball tournament of London Olympic Games by outplaying Turkey 3-1 on Monday.

The Chinese, champion in 2004 Athens Games and bronze medal winner in Beijing Games, won the match 25-20, 25-20, 29-31 and 25-22, with solid blocks and lethal spikes of its key players Wang Yimei and Hui Ruoqi.

Hui scored a stunning 21 points for China, while the Iron Lady Neslihan Dainel contributed 16 points for Turkey.

China quickly pulled ahead in the first set, with almost all their points coming from Hui, who blocked and spiked with equal effectiveness. Turkey's wing spiker Gozde Sonsirma and middle blocker Eda Erdem Dundar joined in Darnel pulled points back. But China dominated the net with impressive blocks and took the opener 25-20.

The second set started tighter, with Yang Junjing joining Hui in collecting points for China, while Darnel led with attacks from back court and powerful service to keep Turkey in contention.

But China got 15-10 ahead as they made fewer errors, and with opposite hitter Zhang Lei and always powerful Wang adding to their attacking options, the world No.3 China won the set 25-20.

The third set saw Turkey take a narrow lead during the early stages. China's range of attacking options, co-ordinated brilliantly by captain and setter Wei Qiuyue, was boosted by the spiking and blocking of Ma Yunwen.

China edged back into the lead, but the spirited Turks stayed level and got to set point 24-23. China pegged them till 29-all, when Sonsirma and Dundar's two spikes helped Turkey pull back one set 31-29.

China showed their class at the start of the fourth set, going into the lead thanks to Hui and Ma. Turkey continued to battle hard but the all round ability of China was too strong and they took the set 25-22.

China beat Serbia 3-1 in their opening match on Saturday. Turkey, however, had a bitter loss to defending champion Brazil in a five-set thriller.

The Chinese will face the world No 1 the United States on Wednesday, while Turks, who have lost two straight, will hope to improve against Serbia.

Besides Serbia, China play in the same pool in London along with defending champion Brazil, US, Turkey and South Korea.

Italy, Russia, Japan, Algeria, the Dominican Republic and host Britain make up the other six-team pool.

Top four teams emerge out of each pool and will play the quarterfinals.