CHINA edged the Netherlands 3-1 in Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday to top Pool H at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.

The scores of the four sets were 23-25, 25-13, 25-18, 25-17, respectively.

China and the Netherlands previously had four encounters at the World Championships, with China winning three of them.

The Netherlands got off to a flying start, leading 4-1 in the first set. China soon leveled the score and the two sides took turns to lead in the rest of the set. After a 23-23 tie, Buijs’ spikes helped the Dutch win 25-23.

China came back in the second set, and after leading 12-10, enlarged the margin to win the set 25-13. In the following two sets, the Dutch failed to pose any serious threat to China, and China sealed the victory with 25-18, 25-17, respectively.

Lonneke Sloetjes of the Netherlands got a match-high 26 points, while China’s Zhu Ting got 19 points to lead her team.

Earlier in the day, Serbia defeated Italy 3-1 to rank first in Pool G.

China will play Italy in the semifinal, while Serbia will face the Netherlands. Italy defeated China 3-1 in the first round of the tournament.(Xinhua)