VOLLEYBALL: China and Serbia strike first at final round in women’s Worlds

Captain Ting Zhu leads China into the medal round.

Serbia and China made major steps toward a medal by winning their first matches in the final pools of the FIVB Women’s World Championships in Nagoya (JPN).

The host country was shut out by Serbia, 3-0, and only one set was close, as the 2006 bronze medalists won, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-23.

China barely squeaked by the United States in five sets – 25-22, 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-9 – just four days after sweeping the Americans in straight sets.

Outside hitter Kim Hill led the U.S. with 24 points (22 kills), followed by Middle Blocker Foluke Akinradewo, who had 18 points (16 kills), and Outside Hitter Jordan Larson, who had 17 points (and 16 kills). Outside Hitter Ting Zhu led China with 25 points (23 kills) and Middle Blocker Ni Yan had 13 (8 kills, 5 blocks).

Losing 3-2 did give the U.S. one point, so if it can defeat the Netherlands on Monday, it can move on to the medal matches. The Nagoya schedule:

∙ Pool G:
14 October: Serbia 3, Japan 0
15 October: Italy vs. Japan
16 October: Italy vs. Serbia

∙ Pool H:
14 October: China 3, United States 2
15 October: Netherlands vs. United States
16 October: Netherlands vs. China

The semis are scheduled for the 19th and the finals for the 20th, in Yokohama.

The U.S. is the defending champion, having beaten China in the final four years ago. Of the other final-round teams, Italy won in in 2002 and Japan won in 1962 and 1967. Serbia (as Serbia and Montenegro) won bronze in 2006; the Dutch have never won a medal in the women’s Worlds.

Look for scores and standings here.