China Outlasts U.S. Women in a Thrilling Five-Set Showdown to Close Out 2025 VNL Week Three…Read More…
In a pulsating encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the United States women’s volleyball team fell narrowly to a resurgent China side in a dramatic five-set showdown, closing out the third week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with a bittersweet finish. The match, staged at the packed Arena Zagreb in Croatia, saw two global powerhouses clash in a contest that lived up to every bit of its billing — a rollercoaster of momentum swings, fierce rallies, and standout individual performances.
China, who have been battling to reclaim their dominance on the international stage, stunned the American side with a 3-2 (21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, 15-12) victory. The result not only snapped the U.S. women’s three-game winning streak but also sent a clear statement that China remains a formidable contender heading into the final stretch of the VNL.
Early Control for the U.S.
The Americans, under head coach Karch Kiraly, entered the matchup brimming with confidence after back-to-back victories over Italy and Serbia. Riding that momentum, the U.S. women came out strong in the opening set. Setter Jordyn Poulter orchestrated the offense with precision, feeding outside hitter Khalia Lanier and opposite Annie Drews, who both found seams in the Chinese block. The U.S. defense, anchored by libero Justine Wong-Orantes, frustrated China’s hitters with relentless digs, allowing the Americans to take the first set 25-21.
China Fights Back
However, China refused to be rattled. In the second set, head coach Cai Bin made key adjustments, including sharper service pressure and faster offensive tempo. Outside hitter Li Yingying led the charge with her trademark explosive attacks, racking up nine points in the set alone. Supported by opposite Gong Xiangyu and middle blocker Yuan Xinyue, China tightened their block and capitalized on a series of U.S. unforced errors to level the match 25-22.
The third set swung back in favor of the Americans, albeit by the slimmest of margins. It became a showcase of grit and tenacity as both teams traded points deep into the set. The U.S. leaned on the experience of captain Jordan Larson, whose timely kills and calming presence steadied the ship. The Americans edged out a tense 25-23 win, putting them back in the driver’s seat.
China’s Resurgence and Fifth Set Drama
Just when it seemed the U.S. might pull away, China responded with one of their most dominant sets of the tournament. Their serving game disrupted the American reception line, and Yuan Xinyue’s blocking at the net became a wall the U.S. struggled to penetrate. The fourth set saw China surge ahead early and never look back, claiming it 25-18 and forcing a deciding fifth set.
The final set was a microcosm of the entire match — intensity, high-quality rallies, and shifting leads. The U.S. held a narrow 8-7 lead at the side switch, but China’s resilience shone through in the clutch moments. Li Yingying delivered a stunning cross-court kill to give China a 13-12 edge before Yuan sealed the match with a powerful stuff block on Drews. The Chinese bench erupted as they clinched the set 15-12 and with it, a statement win.
Star Performances and Takeaways
Li Yingying emerged as the undisputed star of the match, finishing with a game-high 27 points, while Yuan Xinyue’s blocking clinic earned her MVP honors. For the U.S., Drews tallied 19 points, and Lanier added 16, but inconsistent reception and service errors proved costly in the key moments.
Despite the loss, coach Kiraly remained optimistic. “It’s a tough one to swallow because we had our chances, but this is exactly why the VNL is such a valuable competition,” Kiraly said post-match. “We’ll learn from this, and it will only make us better going forward.”
China’s coach Cai Bin praised his team’s composure. “Our players showed great heart. We stayed focused, especially in the fifth set. Matches like this build character, and I’m proud of how we fought.”
The Road Ahead
With the result, China improved their standing in the VNL rankings, solidifying a top-four spot as they aim for playoff qualification. The U.S., while still in strong contention, will look to regroup as they prepare for the critical fourth week of competition in Manila, where they’ll face host nation Philippines, Japan, and Brazil.
The thrilling contest underscored the fierce competition in this year’s VNL, with no clear-cut favorites emerging just yet. For fans, the U.S.-China clash served as a tantalizing preview of the potential fireworks the knockout rounds might bring.
As the dust settles on week three, both teams walk away with valuable lessons — and the volleyball world walks away with a match to remember.
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