China's women's national team captain Zhu Ting continued her successful form as she spearheaded with 18 points to help defending champions Turkish club Vakifbank beat Brazil's Minas Friday 3-0 to reach the semi-finals of the FIVB women's club world championship in Shaoxing, east China's Zhejiang Province.
The game started with both the teams vying for a coveted final four berth.
Trailing just by one, Minas soon leveled things up with a spike. The South Americans maintained control and could have even extended the edge, but only found a magnificent spiking display by Zhu, who thwarted their winning chances.
The in-form Chinese continued to perform as she helped the Turkish side win the first set 25-23.
Minas got off to a dominant start in the second to lead 18-15 but they failed to close out the set after Zhu's big spike broke their rhythm.
Before the 24-year-old tied the set at 24 with a block, the European side held their nerve and went on to win the set 30-28.
Leading by five, the third set was a cakewalk for the ladies from Turkey. They didn't waste any chance at the match point and soon sealed the set 25-18 for 3-0 victory, reaching the semi-finals as the winners of Pool A.
Zhu Ting (#5) of Vakifbank Istanbul reacts during 2018 FIVB Women's Club World Championship match against Minas at Olympic Sports Center in Shaoxing Xian, China. /VCG Photo
Zhu said after her club side's win, “Yes, it's true that we took the first two sets by winning the last two key points, and that really made a big difference in our attitude and momentum. The players had already adapted to the court by the third set, so we are able to achieve our goal in the end.”
Elsewhere, hosts Zhejiang were facing French squad Volero Le Cannet and reduced the deficit to one in the first set, but the French girls were able to extend the edge to five later.
Volero stayed in control and went on to take the first set 25-16.
Trailing by one, Zhejiang fought back in the second and leveled it up at 17. With their confidence boosted, the hosts continued the momentum and leveled the contest at 25-19.
The visitors then bounced back and strengthened the attack to regain the lead 2-1.
But the home side responded with a nice spike to force a decider.
In the fifth, the French's attempt pounded the ball out of bounds and their another mistake helped Zhejiang secure their first victory with a 3-2 scoreline.