Zhang Zixuan and Gao Yi (R) of China celebrate during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- China swept the Dominican Republic in straight sets 25-15, 25-21, 25-17 on Wednesday to complete the preliminary stage undefeated at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.
Chinese head coach Zhao Yong started outside hitter Wu Mengjie in place of Li Yingying, and the match to determine the Pool F winner went China's way after the score was tied at 10-10 in the first set. With solid blocks, the Chinese side stifled the Dominican offense and pulled away to win 25-15.
The Dominican Republic, which had not dropped a set in its previous two matches, tried to fight back but struggled to find its rhythm against China's well-prepared defense. Outscoring their opponents 13-6 in blocks, China went on to take the next two sets 25-21 and 25-17 for a straight-set victory.
"We all knew this match would decide the winner of the group, so the players were fully motivated," Zhao said after the match. "I think the players executed the coach's instructions very well on the court. Our blocking, defense, serving and attacking were all solid today, and each part of the game supported and complemented the others, which led to this result."
China is set to take on Pool C runners-up France in the round of 16, sending the Dominican Republic to deal with the mighty Brazil.
"Any team that makes it to the last 16 has strong ability and a high level of play," Zhao added. "We need to focus on our own performance, showing our fighting spirit as well as our technical and tactical strengths on the court."
The 16 qualified teams will gather in Bangkok for the knockout stage, scheduled to start on Friday. ■
Zhuang Yushan (2nd R) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wu Mengjie (C) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Head coach of China Zhao Yong (C) celebrates during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China gesture during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wu Mengjie (top) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Gong Xiangyu (R) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Head coach of China Zhao Yong (C) gives instructions during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wu Mengjie (front) of China poses with fans after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Players of China celebrate victory after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Ni Feifan (L) of China communicates with Brenda Castillo of the Dominican Republic after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
A fan celebrates victory for team China after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wang Yuanyuan (front) of China hugs Alondra Denis Tapia Cruz of the Dominican Republic after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Wang Yuanyuan (R) of China hugs Alondra Denis Tapia Cruz of the Dominican Republic after the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Hou Zhaokang)
Massiel Matos Duran (front R) of the Dominican Republic competes during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Zhang Zixuan (R) of China competes against Massiel Matos Duran of the Dominican Republic during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Players of China pose for photo after winning the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Wang Mengjie (front) of China celebrates scoring during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Players of China celebrate after winning the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Wu Mengjie (top) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Zhuang Yushan (R) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Zhao Yong (4th R), head coach of China instructs players during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Wu Mengjie (top) of China spikes the ball during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
Gong Xiangyu (bottom) of China gets help from teammates during the Preliminary Phase Pool F match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Volleyball Women's World Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Aug. 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
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