Gao Yi (C) of China blocks during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — China overcame a slow start to defeat Mexico 3-1 in its opening match at the women’s volleyball World Championship here on Saturday.
China head coach Zhao Yong started the game with outside hitter Li Yingying and middle blocker Gao Yi. However, his team started slowly and dropped the opening set 22-25.
The turning point came when China trailed 23-24 in the second set. China saved the set point and then leveled the match with Wu Mengjie’s spike, followed by a solid double block to seal the set 26-24.
China rode that momentum before dominating the third set 25-10 and maintaining control in the fourth to close out the match 25-18.
“We were a bit tight in the first two sets. We don’t often play against teams like Mexico, so we were not very familiar with the way they play,” said Zhuang Yushan, who led China in scoring.
“When we were trailing, we tried to stay aggressive and keep our spirits up. We celebrated every single point we scored, focusing only on that moment instead of thinking too much about the rest,” she said.
In Group F’s other action, the Dominican Republic swept Colombia 25-15, 25-18, 25-13. China will face Colombia in the second group match, while the Dominican Republic will take on Mexico. ■
Players of China celebrate scoring during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Zhuang Yushan (R) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wang Mengjie (C) of China celebrates during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Joseline Landeros Palacios of Mexico tries to save the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China greet spectators after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wang Mengjie of China celebrates during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Gong Xiangyu of China reacts after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China celebrate during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Players of Mexico line up for the national anthem before the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China pose for photos after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Sofia Maldonado Diaz (2nd L) of Mexico competes during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Wu Mengjie (R) and Zhuang Yushan of China react after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China celebrate after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Sofia Maldonado Diaz (2nd L) of Mexico competes during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Melanie Guadalupe Parra Quintero (2nd R) of Mexico competes during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Zhao Yong (1st L), head coach of China, gives instructions during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Li Yingying (back) of China reacts before the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Zhuang Yushan of China celebrates scoring during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Gong Xiangyu (R) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Zhuang Yushan (R) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Li Yingying (R front) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China line up for the national anthem before the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Gong Xiangyu (L) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and Mexico at the Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
