China edges Thailand in five sets for first win in Women's Volleyball Nations League

China recovered from its opening-match disappointment as the home team claimed its first victory in the Women's Volleyball Nations League, defeating Thailand 3-2 in a hard-fought Pool 3 contest in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday. Both sides entered the match seeking an initial win after straight-sets defeats in their opening matches.

The Chinese ladies, who fell 3-0 against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, bounced back with a 25-14, 24-26, 25-19, 23-25, 15-7 victory to improve to 1-1 in the first week of competition.

"We didn't play well yesterday, so today we focused on improving our performance and playing our own game," China middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan said after the match.

Zhuang Yushan led the Chinese attack with 21 points, while Tang Xin tallied 18. Wang Aoqian and Dong Yuhan added 13 and 10 points, respectively, with Wang Yuanyuan contributing eight off the bench.

China dominated the opening set, but Thailand quickly regrouped in the second. The visitors built a 17-14 lead before the hosts rallied to move ahead 24-22. The Thais then saved two set points and reeled off four in a row, capped by a pivotal block against Tang, to snatch the set 26-24 and level the match at 1-1.

The home team regained control in the third set. After the score was tied at 12-12, the Chinese squad put together a decisive run to establish a 21-15 advantage, before closing out the frame 25-19.

Thailand refused to go away and forced a deciding set after taking the fourth 25-23. With the score knotted at 23-23, the Southeast Asian side laid down back-to-back kills to send the contest into a decider.

China responded emphatically in the fifth set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead and never allowing the Thais to get back into contention. The hosts maintained their momentum and wrapped up the match 15-7 to clinch their first win of the campaign.

"We had chances to win the second and fourth sets, but couldn't take them," Wang said. "I think we need more experience to perform better on crucial points."