China opens world volleyball Grand Prix HK leg with victory

China opens world volleyball Grand Prix HK leg with victory

China's Wei Qiuyue (2nd, L) and Ma Yunwen (R) block the ball during their first match against Dominica at the FIVB World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 14, 2009. The game is still going on.

HONG KONG, Aug. 14 -- China defeated the Dominican Republic 3-1 in their opening game of the world volleyball Grand Prix Hong Kong leg here on Friday.

The Dominican team seemed full of confidence at the opening set, but China improved and overtook the rivals to gain the set 25-21.

The Dominican Republic soon geared up in the second set and took the set 25-21, thanks to the good performance of Captain Camil Dominguez Martinez and Altagracia Mambru.

Both teams did their best to take the lead, but supported by a noisy Hong Kong crowd, the Chinese team finally handed the pressure over to their inexperienced rivals and won the following sets with 25-17 and 25-20.

With the victory, China has already booked a berth for the final stage of the World Grand Prix which will be held in Tokyo, Japan.


China's Wang Yimei (R) smashes the ball during the match against Dominica at the FIVB World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 14, 2009. The game is still going on.


China's Wang Yimei (R) smashes the ball during the match against Dominica at the FIVB World Grand Prix women's volleyball tournament in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 14, 2009. The game is still going on.
(Xinhua)