Tianjin Bohai Bank secured a commanding spot in the semifinals of the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s Club World Championship, following a straight-sets victory over Brazil’s Gerdau Minas on Friday in Hangzhou. The Chinese side dominated the match, winning 25-19, 25-22, 25-22, and maintained an unblemished record without dropping a set in Pool A.
Captain Li Yingying led Tianjin with a match-high of 22 points, sharing the honor with Minas opposite Kisy Nascimento. Li’s powerful serves and attacks set the tone early, with Tianjin swiftly establishing a four-point lead in the opening set. The team’s cohesive coordination was on full display, culminating in a decisive spike from Li to clinch the first set.
The second set was closely contested, but a serving error from Minas’s Amanda Marques gave Tianjin a slight edge. Despite pressure from the Brazilian side, Tianjin capitalized on their opportunities, with Li’s consistent performance helping secure the set at 25-22.
In the third set, Li maintained her stellar form, continuing to pressure Minas. Tianjin closed out the match with another 25-22 set, ensuring their advance to the semifinals where they will face Dentil Praia Clube of Brazil later on Saturday.
“My goal for this Club World Championship is simply to play with joy and enjoy each match as much as possible while showcasing my best physical condition and competitive form at this stage,” Li expressed after the match. “So far, these matches have met my expectations, even exceeding them in some ways. Having the right mindset is crucial, and as I approach the highly important semifinals, I hope to maintain this attitude and deliver a steady performance.”
In another highlight of the tournament, Italy’s Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano also advanced to the semifinals, reinforcing their status as strong contenders in the competition.
Reference(s):
Tianjin, Conegliano advance at FIVB Women's Club World Championship
cgtn.com
