China edges US 3-2 at the FIVB Women's World Championship
CGTN
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(Photo: CGTN)

With a match-high 25 points, Chinese ace spiker Zhu Ting led China a narrow 3-2 win (25-22, 19-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-9) over USA in pool H in the third round of the FIVB Women's World Championship on Sunday. 

US built an early lead 4-1, and dominated most of the first set, but after trailing 16-19, China turned the tide with four straight points, and after leading 23-22, sealed the victory with a spike by Zhu Ting and a block by Yan Ni. 

In the following two sets, the US, with fast attacks and spikes by Kimberly Hill, won 25-19 and 25-20. 

Trailing 2-1, China took control in the fourth set with strong serve and attack. After a tight first half, Zhu Ting's serves put China ahead 17-12, but the United States soon caught up, and after a 22-22 tie, Li Yingying's spikes settled the set 25-23, bringing the game to a tie-breaker. 

The fifth set saw China leading 6-4 after Zhu Ting's spike and Li Yingying's block, and the US failed to turn the tide before China sealed the victory 15-9. 

"It was a great game. The United States were very fast. They gave us a good chance to learn and improve ourselves," said Chinese coach Lang Ping after the game. 

"We still have one more Pool H game, and we need to be more focused," added Lang. 

"Today was an intense match. I will work hard so we can win the next one as well." said China captain Zhu Ting. 

China will play the Netherlands on Tuesday and the top two Pool H teams will advance to the semifinals, along with the top two from Pool G.