Defending champion China out of Tokyo Olympic women's volleyball quarterfinals
2021-08-01
Gong Xiangyu of China, Wang Yuanyuan of China, and Wang Mengjie of China celebrate winning the match at the Volleyball - Women's Pool B against Italy in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
TOKYO - Defending champion China was knocked out of the women's volleyball quarterfinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games here on Saturday while ROC, Turkey and South Korea secured their berths in the top eight round.
Zhang Changning of China, Li Yingying of China, Wang Yuanyuan of China, and Wang Mengjie of China celebrate at the Volleyball - Women's Pool B against Italy in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
China swept Italy 25-21, 25-20 and 26-24 for its first win in four tries Saturday evening, but it came a little bit too late.
Yuan Xinyue of China and Wang Mengjie of China in action against Caterina Bosetti of Italy and Anna Danesi of Italy, at the Volleyball - Women's Pool B against Italy in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
"Before the start of the match, we already know that we have no chance to advance to the quarterfinals, but we are eager to play a good game and earn a victory," said China head coach Lang Ping.
Irina Koroleva of the Russian Olympic Committee and Natalya Goncharova of the Russian Olympic Committee celebrate with teammates at the Women's Pool B against the United States in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
The Russian Olympic Committee team hammered the previously unbeaten American women 25-20, 25-12 and 25-19 to improve to a 3-1 win-loss record.
Nataliya Goncharova led the Russian spikers with 26 points while Jordan Thompson was forced out of the match after sustaining an ankle injury in the beginning of the second set.
"It's not a major ankle sprain. It's somewhere between mild and medium. We'll learn more about the extent," said USA head coach Karch Kiraly. "I've heard she'll be back in action within a few days, which means maybe she's unlikely for Italy [on Monday] but we're hopeful beyond that."
Hande Baladin of Turkey in action with Paula Nizetich of Argentina, Bianca Farriol of Argentina and Erika Mercado of Argentina, at the Volleyball - Women's Pool B against Turkey in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
Later on Saturday, Turkey swept Argentina 3-0 to clinch the fourth and last ticket to the knock-out stage on offer in pool B. Standing at fourth in pool B with seven points from two wins and two losses, Turkey has secured a better finish ahead of China, who was fifth with four points, due to superior set ratio.
Oh Jiyoung of South Korea celebrates with teammates at the Volleyball - Women's Pool A against Japan in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
South Korea outlasted Japan 3-2 in pool A for its third win in four tries and a berth in the quarterfinals. Japan and Dominican Republic, who shared a 1-3 record, will vie for the last place in the quarterfinals.
Fe Garay of Brazil celebrates with teammates at the Volleyball - Women's Pool A against Serbia in Tokyo, Japan, on July 31, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]
In Saturday's other matches in pool A, Brazil beat Serbia 3-1 and Dominican Republic eased past Kenya 3-0.
Italy, the United States, Brazil and Serbia have already qualified for the quarterfinals on Thursday after winning three matches.
