China lose to Italy in women's volleyball worlds

APELDOORN, the Netherlands, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China lost 25-16, 25-22, 13-25, 25-17 to Italy in the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship quarterfinals here on Tuesday.

Italy's star opposite Paola Egonu, spiking at a 50 percent success rate, swept a match-high 29 points, including two kill blocks. Middle blocker Anna Danesi added 12 points, including four blocks. Outside hitter and captain Miryam Sylla also finished with 12 points, including three blocks.

For China, outside hitter Li Yingying was the most prolific player with 14 points. Fellow spiker Wang Yunlu also reached double-digits, finishing with 11 points, while middle blocker Yuan Xinyue and opposite Gong Xiangyu both had nine points.

Players of China greet fans after the quarterfinal match between China and Italy at the 2022 Volleyball Women's World Championship in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Nations League champions Italy went into the match strongly, surging to a 9-2 lead and never leaving a chance for China to close the gap. With a monster block by captain Sylla, Italy sealed the first set 25-16.

"The players were so nervous in the first set, they didn't play at their normal level," said China head coach Cai Bin.

Middle blocker Marina Lubian's powerful serve helped Italy open the second set with a 3-0 run. However, China responded with four points in a row to take the lead for the first time in the match.

"We played better in the second set, the players were trying to get the best of themselves in the match, but it took some time," Cai said.

Diao Linyu (C) of China passes the ball during the quarterfinal match between China and Italy at the 2022 Volleyball Women's World Championship in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

But Italy were more solid in the second half of the set, taking four points in a row after 15-15 to put the set out of China's reach. A brilliant Egonu delivered her eighth successful swing of the set to bring in set point at 24-21, before a China serve into the net closed it off at 25-22 to double Italy's lead.

It was the second time that the two teams had faced each other at the tournament, as they met only three days beforehand in the group stage, where Italy took a straight-set win.

This time, the two-time world champions made some difference in the third set, with veteran setter Ding Xia being sent onto the court. China restored their attacks and strengthened their defense, and an ace by Li brought set point at 24-13, before Egonu's attack went out of bounds to gift the set to China.

"Our opponents made many errors in the third set, but we also didn't give up, clawing back point by point, it worked well," Cai commented.

Players of China celebrate scoring during the quarterfinal match between China and Italy at the 2022 Volleyball Women's World Championship in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

The fourth set was tight up to 7-7, but after that Italy ran off with a big lead, extending it to 14-9. Egonu kept the fire burning at the net and delivered as many as nine points, including the match winner, towards an emphatic 25-17 close.

"I am so proud of how we stayed in the game, because China are, of course, a good team, and they served really well. In the third set, we went down a little bit, but I am happy because we were right there on it in the fourth set and we won this! Tomorrow is another day," said Egonu after the match.

"It's an honor that the team relies on me. It's the best thing that I can do. I was really calm because I've learned that being tense doesn't help. I was just focused and the important thing was, to have fun," the 23-year-old added.

Players of Italy celebrate scoring during the quarterfinal match between China and Italy at the 2022 Volleyball Women's World Championship in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Next for world No.1 Italy in the semifinals will be Brazil, who came back from two sets down to knock out Japan 18-25, 18-25, 25-22, 27-25, 15-13 in the day's other quarterfinal.

In the other two quarterfinals played in Gliwice, Poland, the United States powered to a 25-22, 25-15, 25-20 win over Türkiye to set up a semifinal clash against defending champions Serbia, who survived a five-set (21-25, 25-21, 25-19, 24-26, 16-14) thriller against hosts Poland to progress.

The United States will take on Serbia on Wednesday while Italy play Brazil on Thursday for a spot in the final.