PARALYMPICS /
News
Sitting Volleyball: After topping group, China confident of defending title
By Tan Yingzi
China Daily/The Paralympian Staff Writer
Updated: 2008-09-10 11:03
Following a clean sweep of all three group opponents without dropping a set, China's women's sitting volleyball team is supremely confident it can recapture the title on home soil.
Yesterday's Group B competitions saw the Paralympic defending champions whitewash the United States 25-14, 25-21 and 25-19 at the packed China Agricultural University Gymnasium.
China defeats the United States 3-0 in a sitting volleybal preliminary match yesterday to advance to the semifinal. [China Daily]
|
Encouraged by almost 2,000 enthusiastic home fans, China displayed impressive fighting spirit to overcome the Athens' bronze medalist and reach the semifinals first as the leader of Group B.
"We prepared for a hard clash against the United States and fought for every point. I am very satisfied with our performance today," Chinese captain Lu Hongqin told The Paralympian after the match.
"This victory greatly boosted our confidence to take the title again and it proved that we are still a strong team."
The Chinese squad was formed in 2002 and has competed at several major international tournaments, including the World Championships and the Athens Games.
"Our strength has improved a lot since 2004 and we are strong in both attack and defense," coach Ma Dongmei said.
Besides China and the US, the other major title contender is the current world No 1 and Athens silver medalist the Netherlands.
In sitting volleyball matches, players' use a smaller space and a lower net than in volleyball.
Paralympic sitting volleyball uses the same competition format as Olympic volleyball, with eight teams divided into two groups and the first two finishers advancing to the semifinals.
It also uses best-of-five sets and first-to-25 rules.