Tianjin Bohai Bank secured the top place in Pool A at the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) Women's Club World Championship, following a straight-sets victory over Brazil's Gerdau Minas on Friday. Tianjin captain Li Yingying and Minas opposite Kisy Nascimento shared the match-high of 22 points in the contest in Hangzhou.
The Chinese side rolled into the semifinals without dropping a set, and will face Pool B's second-placed Dentil Praia Clube of Brazil later on Saturday.
Tianjin started quickly as Li unleashed a strong serve that Minas couldn't return effectively, and the home side led by four points. Following a smash from Wang Yizhu, Tianjin showcased its strong team coordination to stay in control, and Li's left-handed hammer gave Tianjin a 25-19 victory in the opening set.
Both sides kept things close in the second set, and a serving error from Amanda Marques of Minas gifted a lead of one to Tianjin. Minas captain Thaisa Menezes later served out of bounds, and Tianjin claimed the frame 25-22.
Li maintained her stellar form to put pressure on Minas, en route to her match-high-sharing 22 points. Tianjin went on to close out the third set 25-22, with Li emphasizing the importance of maintaining the right mindset throughout the tournament.
"My goal for this Club World Championship is simply to play with joy, and enjoy each match as much as possible, while also showcasing my best physical condition and competitive form at this stage. So far, these matches have met my expectations, even exceeding them in some ways. Having the right mindset is crucial, and as I approach the highly important semifinals, I hope to maintain this attitude and deliver a steady performance," said Li.
Tianjin Bohai Bank players celebrate after scoring a point in their 3-0 win against Gerdau Minas in a Pool A match at the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) Women's Club World Championship in Hangzhou, China, December 20, 2024. /CFP
Earlier in Pool B, Italian powerhouse Imoco Volley Conegliano swept past Japan's NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, with Chinese star spiker Zhu Ting once again demonstrating solid blocking ability in her team's triumph.
After Conegliano took the first set 25-21, the 30-year-old Zhu launched a trademark forceful attack on her way to 12 points. Swedish opposite Isabelle Haak also delivered several aggressive spikes, en route to a match-high 17 points.
The Italian side grabbed the second set 25-20, and Gabi Guimaraes hammered a spike to move her team closer to victory.
Conegliano wrapped up the third set 25-19, and finished the group stage without dropping a set, while reaching the semifinals as the Pool B leader. They will face Italian rivals Numia Vero Volley Milano later on Saturday.