Zhou Suhong's super serve helped defending champions China nail
Australia in straight sets on Tuesday at the ongoing Asian women's
volleyball championships.
China, who is perfecting their lineup for defending their title
at the Beijing Olympics, got their campaign - to
clinch the 11th straight trophy at the continent's biggest
volleyball tournament - off to a shaky start, after losing to
Japan.
Head coach Chen Zhonghe has been striving to inject fresh blood
into the team, having been annoyed with the long-term injuries of
veterans and, recently, trouble with unstable performances from
newcomers.
However, the Aussies, with their crafts and experience clearly
shaded by their Chinese counterparts, gave the Olympic champions a
chance to get back on track.
China raced on to an 8-1 edge, and thanks to Zhou Suhong's
serves in the first game they won with 25-5, the biggest win in any
game so far in this event.
Australia went all-out in the second game, but their effort
appeared insignificant in front of an in-form China holding an
overall advantage.
The Oceanians conceded the second and third games with the same
25-15.
But the win could be less helpful than expected for the Chinese
hope of their consecutive victories in the tournament, since Japan
succeeded in extending their unbeaten record by beating Chinese
Taipei.
China are to take on Kazakhstan on Wednesday.
(CRI September 12, 2007)