Olympic champions China claimed the fourth straight win over Cuba in the women's volleyball friendly series between the two teams in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province on Friday.

After winning three matches in a row in previous legs of the series at Fuzhou, Jinjiang and Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, the Chinese team was in superb form in the match as they swept past the Cubans 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 in just one hour and 20 minutes.

Head coach Chen Zhonghe fielded a possible Olympic starting lineup featuring spikers Wang Yimei and Yang Hao, middle blockers Zhao Ruirui and Xue Ming, setter Feng Kun, opposite Zhou Suhong and libero Zhang Xian.

Zhao, who has just returned from a 40-month lay-up due to knee injury, was on fire leading the host team with 14 points while Xue added 12 points.

China started with flying colors in the opening set going up 8-5 in the first technical timeout, only to see the Cubans launch a strong challenge against the host team, pushing within 11-10.

After claiming the first set at 25-22, the Chinese were a lot more convincing, winning the second and third sets 25-17 and 25-19.

Improving spiker Wang also played her game, notching up six points, veteran Yang five points.

"Zhao played a good match, especially in smashing and blocking. It was good to have her back in the squad," said Chen after the match.

The series will be moved to Shaoxing for the fifth leg of the six-game series and the last game takes place in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province.

Currently there are a total of 19 players in the Chinese side out of which only 12 can make the final roster for the Beijing Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2008)