The Chinese women's national team qualified for the semifinals of the Volleyball Nations League for the first time since 2023. In front of 4,400 spectators in Macau, the hosts defeated the preliminary phase winner USA 3:2 (15:25, 25:23, 25:20, 17:25, 15:13) in the last quarterfinal, and on Saturday they will face Turkey in a battle for a spot in the final.
For the Americans, who are three-time champions in the tournament, this is their third consecutive elimination before the semifinals.
The USA started convincingly and won the first set 25:15, led by Dana Rettke's strong play at the net. However, China responded in the second set, catching up from behind and taking a 23:20 lead, and although the Americans equalized, two consecutive successful attacks by Zhuang Yushan tied the match.
In the third set, the score went point for point until 13:13, after which the Chinese team went on a run and closed the set at 25:20. The USA brought back the intrigue with a clear 25:17 win in the fourth set, but in the tie-break, China twice overcame a three-point deficit. After 11:11, the hosts took the initiative, and 18-year-old Wang Aoqian scored the winning point for 15:13.
China committed significantly fewer unforced errors " 20 compared to 26 for the USA, and also had an advantage in blocks ", 9:7.
Zhuang Yushan was the top scorer for the winners with 17 points (1 ace, 1 block). Gong Xiangyu added 15 points (2 blocks, 1 ace), Tan Xin scored 13 points (2 aces), and Wang Yuanyuan finished with 12 points, including 3 successful blocks.
"I am very happy that we qualified for the semifinals. We didn't perform well in our previous five-set matches, so this victory will give us even more confidence," said Zhuang Yushan to VBTV.
For the USA, Jordan Thompson was the top scorer with 24 points (2 aces, 1 block), Dana Rettke added 18 points, of which 4 were blocks, Logan Eggleston scored 14, Avery Skinner ", 13, and Asjia O'Neal ", 11.
"We didn't show our best. In such moments, you have to play to your maximum capabilities, and we couldn't. China played a great match ", they are a very talented and strong team," commented Thompson tovolleyballworld.com.
| Statistic | USA | China |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 74 | 58 |
| Block | 7 | 9 |
| Aces | 5 | 4 |
| Points from opponent errors | 20 | 26 |
| Total points | 106 | 97 |
| Defensive digs | 101 | 94 |
Although the USA had a huge advantage in attack (74:58), more defensive digs, and more direct service points, the Chinese compensated with more effective blocking and, most importantly, with far fewer unforced errors. The 26 points gifted by the Americans proved to be one of the decisive factors for the comeback.
photo:volleyballworld.com
