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The USA took no notice of the huge crowd cheering for China as they matched the intensity that China had shown early in the first set. A rally on an exchange of back-row spikes from WANG Yimei (CHN) and Tayyiba HANEEF-PARK (USA) was a highlight in the middle of the set.

China picked on Kimberly GLASS (USA), who made many mistakes on defence of the Chinese attack and serve. FENG Kun (CHN) dropped the ball over to end the set 25-23.

The second set was a see-saw battle. XUE Ming (CHN) played the middle very well in lieu of superstar ZHAO Ruirui. Logan TOM (USA) played smart offence, targeting the middle of the Chinese court.

GLASS made up for her earlier mistakes by hitting hard on the open and opposite attack. TOM missed an opportunity to put away the set for the USA on a spike, but Heather BOWN finished the set for USA.

China tried to pull away early in the third set with powerful spikes by WANG. WANG continued to hit hard but was blocked by Danielle SCOTT-ARRUDA. MA Yunwen (CHN) ended the set with a spike at 25-23.

The fourth set was SCOTT-ARRUDA's as China could not manage her off-speed hit on the slide. Her blocking game was also effective. Kim WILLOUGHBY helped SCOTT-ARRUDA receiving and blocking the powerful spikes from WANG.

GLASS and TOM stepped up in the scoring with their intelligent shot selection. The USA took the set on a four-touch violation by China, 25-20.

WANG had a big block to start the fifth and deciding set. The USA attacked strongly through TOM and SCOTT-ARRUDA.

The USA pulled away while Chinese setter FENG sat on the bench. GLASS and BOWN scored crucial hits until a defensive stop by GLASS on a WANG spike ended the set 15-11 and the match.

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