The second day of FIVB Volleyball Grand Prix Macao 2014 resulted in two thrilling 5-set matches and saw Japan continued their winning streak by beating Korea and tops Pool I with 6 points. Home crowd favourite China lost to Serbia and must secure a win tomorrow against Japan to be in with a chance to win the Macao leg.

Japan first defeated Korea 3-2 (22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 27-25, 15-13) in an intense battle between the two Asian Teams.

Set one saw both teams starting strong as neither could capture more than a one-point advantage leading up to the first technical timeout. Japan led 8-7 but then Kim Yeon-Koung took charge for Korea, helping her team take a 16-12 lead at the second TTO. The Japanese battled back to tie the match at 22, thanks in part to a balanced offense and some excellent backcourt defense. But it wasn’t enough to counter Yeon-Koung and her 8 kills, giving the Koreans the first set. 

Set two was a battle as neither team had more than a two-point advantage leading up to the second TTO. Kim Yeon-Koung continued to sizzle for the Koreans, securing another nine kills for her squad. But it was the Japanese who finally captured a three-point lead, and ultimately the win, courtesy of near flawless play on their part. 

In set three it was Korea who came out playing the better volleyball. Their offense was firing and some terrific defense helped them to an early 8-4 advantage. The Koreans didn’t slow down and maintained their lead throughout with the help of another 10 kills from their captain, Kim Yeon-Koung. 

The next set saw the Japanese step up their game to take an early 13-9 lead. The Japanese backcourt was relentless, making several spectacular digs to deny their opponents. But the Koreans were not to be outdone, battling back to take a 20-19 lead. Both teams traded points and the fans were treated to some spectacular rallies. In the end, it was the Japanese who outlasted the Koreans to take the set 27-25. 

The final set had the teams trade points early on and it was the Japanese who took an early 6-4 lead to force a Korean timeout. Japan extended their lead to 12-8 courtesy of two serving errors from the Koreans. Korea battled back to within one point on three separate occasions, but the Japanese held on for a 15-13 win. 

Kim Yeon-Koung led Korea with 36 kills and one ace. Japan was led by Nagaoka Miyu with 22 kills and by Tsutsui Sayaka with 17 digs.

Serbia then defeated China 3-2 (24-26, 28-26, 21-25, 25-20, 17-15) to wrap up play on Saturday.

A capacity crowd greeted both teams and it was the Serbians who responded with an early 8-4 lead due to excellent play at the net. The Chinese found their stride as the match progressed and pulled ahead 19-18 via a huge kill from Zhu Ting. Serbia responded with a kill from Mihajlovic Brankica to regain a 23-21 lead, but China fought back to tie the match 24-24. A reception error by the Serbians gave the Chinese the lead for good and the set ended with a huge block off the Serbian attack. 

Set two was a tight affair with teams exchanging the lead on a regular basis. Serbia pulled ahead 23-21 with some opportune attacks, but it was the noisy crowd that urged the Chinese to battle back to tie the match 24-24. Teams traded points to take the match to 26-26 and it was the Serbians who benefitted from a Chinese hitting error to take the set 28-26. 

Serbia displayed strong play at the net to start set three, establishing a 12-8 lead. China fought back to within one point, but it was the outside attack of Serbia that had them leading 16-13 at the second technical timeout. Serbia continued to lead until 20-18, but it was the Chinese who were more determined, scoring the next five points to take a 23-20 lead. The Serbians could not respond and China closed out the set 25-21. 

Serbia started strong in the fourth set and this time did not relinquish their lead. An improved attack combined with a number of service errors by the Chinese led to a seven-point lead by the Serbians. The teams traded points before Serbia closed out the set 25-20. 

The final set was a hard-fought affair with neither team gaining more than a two-point advantage until a huge block by Ting Zhu gave the Chinese an 11-8 lead. China pulled ahead 13-10 before the Serbians battled back to tie it at 14-14. The teams traded points until an attack by the Serbian setter gave her team the lead. The Chinese couldn’t convert on their first attack, allowing the Serbians to close out the match. 

Zhu Ting led the Chinese with 20 kills and 4 blocks. China plays Japan on Sunday to close out play in Macao. 

Mihajlovic Brankica led Serbia with 22 kills and 1 block. With the win, the Serbians have now won over 100 sets in World Grand Prix play.

Korea plays Serbia tomorrow at 13:00, which will be their second encounter in this year’s World Grand Prix and a chance for Korea to gain one back from Serbia. The weekend’s finale will see China take on Japan at 15:30, chosen as the match for the 3rd week in the new FIVB “Match of the week” programme and is the 22nd time these two teams meet in the World Grand Prix.