China's women's volleyball team staged an impressive comeback to defeat Mexico 3-1 in their Pool F opener at the FIVB World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The match marked coach Zhao Yong's debut in the prestigious tournament, testing his squad's adaptability against a determined Mexican team.
After dropping the first set 25-22 due to Mexico's aggressive spikes led by Sofia Maldonado, China regrouped with strategic substitutions. Wu Mengjie and Zhuang Yushan entered the fray in the second set, sparking a dramatic turnaround. The pair combined for crucial points during a nail-biting 26-24 set victory that leveled the match.
China dominated the third set 25-10 through airtight blocking strategies, recording 12 block points against Mexico's 3. Zhuang continued her stellar performance in the fourth set, finishing with a tournament-high 23 points. Despite Mexico's persistent efforts, China closed the match 25-18 when Samantha Bricio's final spike sailed out of bounds.
The victory sets up China's next Pool F clash against Colombia on Monday, while Mexico prepares to face the Dominican Republic. The result demonstrates China's depth in adapting mid-match – a crucial advantage as they pursue their first World Championship title since 1986.
