China's national women's volleyball team claimed its third consecutive victory at the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) as they defeat Italy 3-1 (25-13, 20-25, 25-22, 25-18) in Ankara, Turkey on Saturday.

China's top scorer is outside hitter Li Yingying with 21 points and opposite Gong Xiangyu added 17. Alice Degradi had a game-high 23 points for Italy.

With the victory, China now sit second in the VNL standings after Brazil, who has also a three-game winning streak.

China started the 2022 VNL campaign on Wednesday with a comfortable 3-1 win over the Netherlands and then beat Turkey 3-1 on Friday. 

China will now face Thailand on Sunday, who swept Bulgaria 3-0 in the opening match, and then stunned Serbia 3-2 after a five-set thriller.

Also in the group, Belgium edged Thailand 25-22, 18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-13.

The women's VNL kicked off in Turkey on May 31, with other two legs to be held in the Philippines and Bulgaria, and the finals will be back in Ankara from July 13 to 17.

(With input from Xinhua)