China sweep Thailand at Grand Prix women's volleyball
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-06-25 10:51

Olympic and World Cup double champions China swept Thailand 3-0 on Friday for their opening win at the 2005 World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament Ningbo leg.

The Chinese women had no great difficulties taking the 25-20, 25-15 and 25-18 victory in 66 minutes.

Chinese women's volleyball player Wang Yimei (R) spikes in the opening match against Thailand at the 2005 World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament Ningbo leg June 24, 2005. China won 3-0. [Xinhua]

Facing the lowly Thais, China started with a 7-3 run in the first set and held it to 11-6. Thailand fought back with its tireless defense and quick attack, steadily pulling it back at 14-all.

However, China surged away again with a 8-3 burst to make it 22-17 before Yang Hao sealed the set with a smash.

In the second set, the Chinese women dominated from the beginning to the end. They jumped to a 19-10 lead and held on to make it two sets to nil.

Chinese women's volleyball player Zhou Suhong (center) dives for the ball in the opening match against Thailand at the 2005 World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament Ningbo leg June 24, 2005. China won 3-0. [Xinhua]

Thailand stayed within 21-18 in the third set, but China ran off four straight points from then on to conclude the match. Chu Jinling had a kill to give China its first match point and Ma Yunwen converted it with a solid block.

"We showed our advantage in attack, blocking and serving today, yet I still think we were not in our top shape," said China head coach Chen Zhonghe. "We made many mistakes, we had ups and downs, and the old players and the young players have yet to find chemistry."

Wang Yimei made nine kills to lead China with 11 points, Liu Ya'nan and Zhou Suhong each added nine.

"I am quite satisfied with our players' performance, because we were facing one of the best teams in the world," said Thailand head coach Chanbunchee Sutichai. "We will take this match as a lesson and try to play better tomorrow."

Earlier on Friday, the Netherlands beat the United States 25-17, 25-14 and 25-17.

The four teams are vying for the title in the round robin format. China will play the Netherlands on Saturday while the United States take on Thailand.

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