China's campaign in the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administrative Region) leg of the FIVB Women's Nations League ended on a sobering note with a 3-0 defeat against Italy, the Paris Summer Olympics champions and top-ranked team in the world.

Despite the straight-sets loss, one bright spot emerged in the form of 19-year-old Dong Yuhan, who stepped in for the injured Wu Mengjie and scored a team-high 19 points.

The match unfolded with the first set slipping away from the Chinese ladies 25-21, a competitive but ultimately narrow margin. The second set turned into a marathon tussle, a nerve-wracking 32-30 battle that the Italians finally claimed with clinical precision. The third set was more decisive, with Italy steamrolling through 25-11, underscoring their dominance.

Dong's performance was a silver lining amid the defeat, showcasing her spiking prowess and composure beyond her years. Another promising young talent, Tang Xin, contributed a solid 10 points. On the other side, Italy's star opposite hitter Paola Egonu lived up to her reputation, recording a match-high 21 points.

The defeat saw China close out the Hong Kong SAR leg with three wins and one loss, leaving the team sitting sixth in the overall standings at 5-3. The journey will continue as they head to the USA for the third week of the competition, a fresh opportunity to recalibrate and reiterate their position among volleyball's elite.