Volleyball Nations League: China’s women set for best finish as they reach final against Turkey
- Turnaround wins Weibo praise as China defeat Poland to avenge June’s preliminary-round loss to them in Hong Kong
- Turkey stun three-time champions and hosts the United States, ensuring there will be a new name on the trophy
China’s women’s team are guaranteed their best finish at the Volleyball Nations League after a straight-sets semi-final win over Poland in Arlington, Texas.
New champions will be crowned after Turkey stunned hosts and three-time champions the United States at College Park Centre in the other semi-final to set up a first meeting of the season with the Chinese later on Sunday.
Ranked No 5 in the table after the preliminary round, China followed up their 3-1 quarter-final win over Brazil with a clean sweep of the Poles on Saturday, with three of their stars sharing the scoring burden.
Li Yingying led the way with 14, while captain Yuan Xinyue and outside hitter Wang Yunlu each chipped in 13, guiding China to a 25-18, 25-23, 25-23 win.
China’s turnaround this month, also including a 3-2 win over the Olympic champion Americans, did not go unnoticed on Chinese social media.
“From losing 3-0 in the prelims to winning 3-0 in the semi-finals, the world is just so nice,” a Weibo user wrote.
