How did the Italy vs People’s Republic of China volleyball match go · Women’s VNL 2024
The Italian national team played a match convincing at the home of the Chinese national team. The defeat against Brazil at tie-break the previous day did not affect the certainties of the Italians who immediately started scoring points.
In the first set, Italy started immediately with a mini-breaks going ahead of 3-0. From that moment, the two teams played the set point to point with a minimal advantage for the Italians.
The home athletes marked on sight Paola Egonu which failed to express its full potential in the first half. But they spent a lot of energy to keep the star athlete who scored yesterday against Brazil at bay 29 points.
With 5 points consecutive, the home team overtook the sextet led by Anna Danesigiving China an 18-16 lead for the first time in the match.
The team of Julio Velasco he didn’t give up and recovered the gap, returning to 23 all and then, regaining the lead, winning the first set by 25-23. Since then, China has no longer taken the lead against the Italians.
The second set also started in a very hard-fought manner between the two teams. But thanks to three errors by Wangthen replaced by the coach, and a series of consecutive points of Marina Lubianwho will finish the match with 11 points, Italy takes a margin of 4 points of advantage.
China does not give up and with a mini-breaks Of 3 points returns to the blue trail, 19-18 for Italy. But the captain will take care of it Anna Danesiwith two consecutive points, including an ace, to maintain the distance in the score.
And then the usual Paola Egonuwho with three consecutive points, including two aces, handed the set to Italy for 25-19.
In the third and final set, Egonu clearly took measures on the now exhausted Chinese defence, and immediately gave Italy points.
Despite the lack of winning blocks, only 4 for Italy throughout the match, the Italians demonstrated a good defensive phase which allowed them to replay many balls and exhaust their opponents.
The home athletes had to surrender against Italy who won the third set by 25-16.
Italy ends the match with 47 points in attack, 4 blocks and 7 points in service. The best Italian players were Egonu with 16 points and the former Italian captain Myriam Sylla with 12.
