CHINA beat Japan 25-17, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 for the title of the women’s volleyball World Cup at Nagoya, Japan, yesterday.

    It was China’s fourth World Cup victory. China last won the title in 2003. It was also the first World Cup victory for China’s volleyball legend Jenny Lang Ping as head coach.

    Lang was missing two of her key players at the World Cup.

    “We lost Yang Fangxu through an injury she received during the World Grand Prix and also our captain Hui Ruoqi just before we came here due to a health problem, but we have got some young players and will do our best,” she said at a pre-tournament press conference earlier.

    Twelve teams played a single round robin in the tournament. China led the standings with 30 points while Serbia was second at 27. The top two finishers qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics Games.

    Meanwhile, the United States defeated the Dominican Republic 25-10, 25-19, 25-17 yesterday in its final game to secure a top-three finish.

    Nicole Fawcett scored 15 points for the world champion U.S. team, which finished the tournament with nine wins and two losses.

    Tetori Dixon had 12 points and Jordan Larson-Burbach chipped in with 11.

    The U.S. women produced eight aces compared to two for the Dominican Republic, which finished with a 5-6 record.

    In other matches, Russia overpowered Algeria 25-5, 25-6, 25-9 while Serbia outlasted Argentina 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-4.

    Kenya also needed five sets for a 23-25, 29-27, 25-27, 25-23, 15-13 win over Peru.(SD News)