Latest - 12:00 am, Hiroshima, 3-0 victory over Argentina

China's Wang Yimei (L) jumps for a spiking against Argentina in the second match of Round Two during the FIVB women's volleyball World Cup in Hiroshima, Japan, Nov 9, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese women defeated their Argentinean counterparts 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-23) early Wednesday in the second match of Round Two at the women's volleyball World Cup in Hiroshima, ensuring the team a top three place with four wins and one loss only, titan24.com reported.

 

Update - China to take on Argentina at volleyball World Cup

China's captain Wei Qiuyue (C), celebrates a score against the Dominican Republic in the opening match of Round Two during the FIVB women's volleyball World Cup in Hiroshima, Japan, Nov 8, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

HIROSHIMA, Japan - China will face underdog Argentina on Wednesday in the second match of Round Two at the women's volleyball World Cup in Hiroshima, after beating the Dominican Republic in a comeback 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-18) win in the opening match one day before.

China started slowly for the third time in four matches by losing the first set against the Dominican Republic, who has come on an emotional high from a five-set thriller on Sunday against host Japan.

In the first set, the Dominicans stunned China by jumping out ahead early. China's defence looked confused at times, miscommunicating on several occasions, and on a Bethania de Pena De La Cruz spike, their hesitation resulted in the first Dominican set point.

China showed some spirit fighting off three set points, but De La Cruz dropped her seventh point of the set behind the Chinese defense to close at 25-23.

Yu Juemin, coach of the Chinese team, reacts in China's win over the Dominican Republic in the opening match of Round Two during the FIVB women's volleyball World Cup in Hiroshima, Japan, Nov 8, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The second set started out even but with an injury scare as China's middle blocker Xu Yunli stepped on the feet of Dominican captain Milagros Cabral de la Cruz during an attempted spike.

Hui Ruoqi was fearless helping China to nine of the last 10 points to take the set comfortably at 25-13.

China improved their defense in the third set and China's captain Wei Qiuyue posted blocks on Rodriguez twice for scores to extend to 12-7. China finally closed the set at 25-19 with support from Xu and Wang Yimei on the wings.

In the forth set, the Chinese team maintained a balanced attack led by Wang who helped China edge ahead 12-9. Wei again showed great savvy up front, dropping a clever back tip over her head. China closed it out 25-18.

"We started slow, and obviously the Dominican Republic has adopted some useful tactics against China's attacks. And we had several mistakes, but fortunately we managed to get back," said Yu Juemin, coach of the Chinese team.