Chinese Women’s Volleyball Team Comes from Behind to Defeat Mexico 3-1, Securing First Win at World Championships

On the evening of August 23, in the F group match of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship held here, the Chinese team, ranked fifth in the world, came from behind to defeat the 23rd-ranked Mexican team 3–1, securing a victory in their first match of the tournament.

The Chinese team fielded a starting lineup that included Li Yingying, returning from injury, and Gao Yi, who rejoined the team mid-tournament. The other starters were Zhang Zixuan, Zhuang Yushan, Wang Yuanyuan, Gong Xiangyu, and Wang Mengjie.

After the match began, the Chinese team started somewhat slowly. Maldonado and Parra of the Mexican team posed significant threats in attack, and Parra’s jump serves also caused considerable trouble. The Chinese team’s first-attack success rate was not high, relying mainly on Zhuang Yushan to carry the load. During a stalemate, head coach Zhao Yong substituted Wan Ziyue and Wu Mengjie for Gao Yi and Li Yingying, but the Mexican team scored four consecutive points to lead 21–17. Shortly after, Zhang Zixuan was briefly substituted but returned to the court. Gong Xiangyu’s spike helped China narrow the gap to 22–24. In the final moments, Maldonado’s spike secured the first set for Mexico.

In the second set, Gao Yi returned to the court, and the two teams continued to battle closely. Mexico once led 14–11, but China caught up to tie at 18–18. After Mexico reached set point at 24–23, Wu Mengjie’s spike off the block tied the score at 24–24. At the critical moment, Zhao Yong substituted attacker Tang Xin for Zhang Zixuan to strengthen the block. The Chinese team seized the opportunity for a counterattack: Gong Xiangyu, acting as setter, assisted Wu Mengjie for a powerful spike, followed by a double block from Wu Mengjie and Wang Yuanyuan that clinched the set. China won 26–24 to level the match.

After adapting over the first two sets, the Chinese team found their rhythm completely. In the third set, Wu Mengjie excelled in both attack and blocking, while Zhuang Yushan remained highly efficient. China dominated both offensively and defensively, winning easily 25–10. In the fourth set, China continued their momentum to take the set 25–18.

Throughout the match, Zhuang Yushan contributed 23 points, while Wu Mengjie, Gong Xiangyu, and Wang Yuanyuan scored 19, 12, and 10 points, respectively. Overall, China outperformed their opponents in blocking, 12–3.

In another match in the same group, the Dominican Republic team swept Colombia 3–0. In the second round of group matches on the 25th, the Chinese team will face Colombia, while the Dominican Republic will play against Mexico.