China Continues Restoration Project

Rebuilding after two big disappointments earlier this decade, China opened with a 15-10, 15-5, 15-7 victory over the Netherlands.

China was led by Sun Yue with 17 kills.

The Chinese used key blocks to neutralize Holland’s power hitter, Henriette Weersing, who had a match-high 21 kills in 55 attempts.

Bronze medalists in Seoul in 1988, the Chinese finished seventh among eight teams in Barcelona, then were eighth in the ’94 World Cup. Lang Ping, star of the Chinese team that won the women’s gold in Los Angeles in 1984, was called in and her regrouped team finished third in the ’95 World Cup to qualify for Atlanta.

In other women’s matches, Russia, playing under that team name for the first time in the Olympics, beat Germany, 15-5, 15-10, 15-7, to avenge a loss in the European Zone qualifying tournament. Also, Brazil crushed Peru, 15-7, 15-1, 15-5; defending gold medalist Cuba beat Canada, 15-8, 15-8, 15-5; and South Korea defeated Japan, 15-10, 15-12, 15-10.