China sweeps Iraq in opener at Asian Women's Volleyball Championship

TIANJIN, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- China opened its campaign at the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship here on Saturday, sweeping Iraq in straight sets in just 52 minutes to get off to a winning start.

Facing Iraq, China's head coach Zhao Yong used the opener to test different lineups, with all 14 players taking the court and a different lineup deployed in each set.

China's starting lineup featured setter Xie Shengyu, outside hitters Zhuang Yushan and Tang Xin, middle blockers Wang Yuanyuan and Chen Houyu, opposite Gong Xiangyu and libero Wang Mengjie. China quickly found its rhythm in the opening set, racing to a 5-0 lead and later scoring seven straight points before taking the set 25-4.

In the second set, China rested veterans Gong Xiangyu and Wang Yuanyuan, bringing on outside hitter Wu Mengjie, who has returned from injury, and young middle blocker Wang Aoqian. China raced to a 10-0 lead before veteran setter Diao Linyu replaced Xie midway through the set, and cruised to a 25-6 win.

Young opposite Yang Shuming and outside hitter Li Chenxuan started the third set. China scored 15 straight points midway through the set before taking it 25-6 to seal the match.

China established a clear edge in attack, blocking and serving, recording 10 blocks and eight aces, while Iraq had none in either category.

Apart from liberos Wang Mengjie and Ni Feifan, all 12 other Chinese players scored. Zhuang Yushan finished with a match-high 13 points, Tang Xin added 12 and Wang Aoqian contributed nine.

China will face Iran in its next pool match.

In two other matches on Saturday, Indonesia swept Kazakhstan 3-0, while South Korea defeated Vietnam 3-1.