Chinese Women Spikers Sail into Quarter-finals at UniversiadeDefending champions China kept its winning streak by outclassing Canada in straight sets Friday to clinch a quarter-finals berth at the women's volleyball competitions at the World University Games.The Chinese women spikers, seeking their fifth title in the event, made short work of their group arch-rivals, winning 25-22, 25-15, 25-12. The defending Chinese women spikers have won the tournament in 1981, 1987, 1995 and 1999. Chinese girls met strong resistance from Canadians in the beginning of the first set because they made many serving errors and were blocked by the taller Canadians. Falling behind 14-13, China had to field their first line-up composed of five former national spikers and fought back to win the set at 25-22. The defending champions then turned the game into a demonstration with quick attacks and solid defense, leading all the way to seal the match at 25-15, and 25-12 in the following two sets. Hot favorites China will face winless New Zealand in their last game in the Group A round robin. With the victory, China secured their leading place in the group with two wins against no loss. Canada and Britain, both with one win and one loss, will vie for another berth of the group Saturday. "My player claimed only one point from quick point, which is the key to victory for our team," Chinese coach Lin Yuting said of the first set. "The following two sets are the real form performed by my players, " he added. Canadian coach Lorne Sawula said:"Our team played very well in the match, but the Chinese are so powerful that we couldn't cope with." In another Group A match earlier in the day, Britain outgunned New Zealand 25-19, 25-15 and 25-21. Group C saw two favorites Japan and Brazil keenly contest for the winner of the group. But the match turned out to be a one- sided game, as the Brazilians surprised Japan, fourth-place finisher in Palma de Mallorca games two years ago, in straight sets 25-17, 25-20 and 25-20. Japanese coach Norimasa Sakakuchi refused to answer any questions to media by saying he did not understand English. "There are no national spikers in my team, all of them are students," said Brazilian coach Andre Mattos. Speaking of the target of his team in the games, Andre Mattos said:"No, we haven't any target, but we come here just to show the best volleyball." Hong Kong, China booked their first win of the games by defeating South Africa 25-16, 25-23, 25-20 in another Group C match. Russia, losers to China in the gold medal play-off at 1999 Palma de Mallorca games, trounced Chinese Taipei 25-18, 25-19, 25- 16 and ensured one of the two quarter-finals berths from Group B with two wins against no loss. In the same group, Ukraine came back from two sets down to trounce Mexico at 19-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20 and 15-13. In Group D, Thailand disposed of Spain in straight sets 25-17, 25-21, 25-17. A total of 15 teams are competing in four groups, with top two teams from each group advance to the knock-out quarter-finals. |
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