China's national women's volleyball team claimed a 3-1 victory on the opening day of the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League in Italy on Tuesday, coming from one set down to defeat South Korea.

With the absence of world-renowned players such as Zhu Ting and most franchise players from the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2019 World Cup, the Chinese women struggled in the first set, losing by a small margin on 25-23.

Despite the tournament being a good chance to warm up for the Olympics, China along with many other top teams did not register with their usual starting lineups, but rather younger players.

Still, familiar faces such as Zhang Changning, Wang Mengjie as well as Kim Yeon-koung were seen on the court Tuesday; Zhang from China bagging a game-high 23 points, Kim of South Korea with 14.

Moving into the second set, both sides exchanged leading spikes in a tough opening. As Zhang found her rhythm, China evened the set score with a 25-19 win.

The next two sets became a showcase for Zhang, as well as compatriots Liu Yanhan and Li Yao's outstanding spiking abilities. The South Koreans put up a fight but ultimately could not hold off China's charge.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)