Chinese women's volleyball team concluded with two wins and two losses on Sunday in the second leg of the Women's Volleyball Nations League in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
China suffered a second consecutive loss to defending champions Italy 23-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-22, 15-12, after their first defeat to Poland a day earlier.
China rank fourth among all competitors with six consecutive wins and two losses so far, as the Chinese players beat all their opponents in the previous leg in Nagoya, Japan, and also Canada and Bulgaria in the HKSAR leg.
Chinese player Li Yingying (up) spikes the ball during the Women's Volleyball Nations League game against Italy in Hong Kong, China, June 18, 2023. /CFP
In Sunday's match, China surrendered the set lead twice, allowing Italy to extend it into the decisive fifth set, where Italy led from the beginning and China never managed to get ahead.
China's Li Yingying scored a game-high 24 points, but it was insufficient. Miriam Sylla, along with Sylvia Nwakalor, led Italy with 15 points apiece.
Italy eliminated China in last year's league and triumphed twice again in the ensuing Volleyball Women's World Championship.
Chinese players block the ball over net during the Women's Volleyball Nations League game against Italy in Hong Kong, China, June 18, 2023. /CFP
China's main coach Cai Bin said after the match, "They tried their best but it was a pity that we didn't win several critical points. It's worth for us to learn the lesson."
"After these games, several teammates are playing with injuries, such as Wang Yuanyuan and Li Yingying. We will make some adjustment accordingly and prepare for our games in South Korea."
Team China will travel to South Korea's Suwon for games against Serbia, Dominica, South Korea and the United States from June 27 to July 2.
All the participating 16 teams will fight for eight berths at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals which will take place in Texas, U.S. from July 12 to 16.
(With input from Xinhua)