Press release

Trujillo, Peru, July 27, 2011—By spreading the ball around, China was able to defeat Belgium and scoring machine Lise Van Hecke 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-19) in a Pool F matchup of the second round of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Junior World Championship in Peru 2011.

China is in first place in Pool F with six second-round points, pending the outcome of Brazil-Slovakia. Belgium has yet to score any points in the second round.

The match featured the two best scorers in the tournament. The leader, Belgium’s Lise Van Hecke, finished with 20 points. China’s Zhou Yang, the second leading scorer, had seven points. China scored five points off serves, compared to one for Belgium.

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China went into the first technical timeout with an (8-4) lead. Three of Belgium’s first four points were scored on opponent errors, and it wasn’t until the ninth point that a player other than Lise Van Hecke scored for Belgium. In the opening set, only one player scored more than three points for Belgium, compared to four players for China. Xiaoya Zhang led China with six points. Huimin Wang converted 11 of 14 digs for 

With the second set tied at three, China scored the next seven points. Di Yao set the ball well for China. Qi Wang and Xiaoya Zhang both had six points in the set for China. Lise Van Hecke led Belgium with nine points, but none of her teammates had more than one point in the set.

Belgium played competitive, and led for much of the third set. However, nobody stepped up to complement Lise Van Hecke. Belgium’s next highest scorer finished the match with three points. China played spirited team defense.

China will next play Brazil at 18.15 on July 28, in what could be a battle for first place in Pool F should Brazil win tonight against Slovakia. Belgium will challenge Slovakia at 20.15 on July 28.