China remain unbeaten in the 2015 FIVB World League
Thessaloniki, Greece, June 19, 2015 - China served 14 aces against 8 from Slovakia as they defeated the European side 3-2 (20-25, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20, 15-13) to remain unbeaten in Pool G of the FIVB World League.
China won a tight five-setter when the two sides met last week. Today's match also started well for the Asian side, as they took a 3-0 lead early on. Slovakia quickly cought up and both teams traded narrow leads before impressive blocking helped Slovakia set up four set points. They only needed one, though, as Ji Daoshuai's spike landed out handing Slovakia the opener, 25-20. In the second set four aces from Yuan Zhi helped China grab a 16-12 lead. Slovakia managed to change things around in the set, thanks in a large part to the great attack and serving from Martin Sopko, who led his team en route to a 25-23 win.
The third set started with both teams even, before China broke away to take a 16-14 lead at the second technical time-out. A few simple errors from Slovakian players helped China control the situation and take the set, 25-21. Booming aces from Jianwei Song allowed China to open the fourth set with an 8-1 lead. They maintained the comfortable advantage until, at 18-13, Slovakia began their comeback. A trick shot from setter Masny made it 21-19 for China, but Yuan Zhi delivered again with his powerful serves as China eventually forced the match into a tie-breaker.
In the deciding set a good attack from Geng Xin gave China a two-point lead at 4-2. Kohut and Cerven's great spikes from the middle helped Slovakia tie the score at 10-all. The battle in the middle continued as China's middle blocker, Chen Zhang, gave his team two points in a row and a 13-11 lead. In an unfitting end to the thrilling match a service error from Matej Patak handed China the victory.
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