Before going down 3-1 to the Olympic gold medalists Wednesday evening the US snatched one set from China at the women's volleyball World Championships.

 

 

Chinese player Yang Hao, left, in the match against the US November 8, 2006 in Osaka, Japan.

 

Wang Yimei scored a game-high 23 points, 21 out of 45 spikes, as China stormed to a 20-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17 victory in one hour and 35 minutes at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.

 

Despite some brilliant play in the first set the US, who ranked second in Group C, suffered their third defeat in the round-robin group in the second phase.

 

The first set was a real see-saw but the Americans kept a firm grip on their lead and took the opener 25-20.

 

The US jumped to a 6-1 lead and kept the two-point advantage before China stormed back with a 5-0 run.

 

Wang Yimei, who led the match with 23 points, provided much of the ammunition and China pulled a set back 25-23.

 

The following sets were much easier for China as they totally controlled the match with Yang Hao and Xu Yunli gaining 16 and 13 points apiece.

 

Nancy Metcalf scored 20 points for the US while Katherine Wilkins added 15.

 

China, defeated by Russia and Germany in Group B, will meet Brazil on Thursday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2006)