VNL 2023: Poland Ends China’s Winning Streak

Poland defeated China in the VNL 2023 Week 2 pool 3 match, ending their six-match winning streak and handing them their first defeat. The match was won in straight sets (25-20, 25-23, 25-22), and Magdalena Stysiak was the top scorer of the game with 20 points, helping Poland secure their seventh win in eight matches.

After the match, China’s star player Li Ying-ying mentioned that her team struggled with passive blocking and defense, and they were unable to respond to the issue. Although she praised Poland’s defense, she also admitted that she could have performed better in terms of attacking. Additionally, she acknowledged that her team needs to improve their ability to cope with adversity.

Coach Larvarini of Team Poland expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance against one of the world’s top teams. He added that the victory over China demonstrated their ability to compete against the best. However, he believes that his team could have performed better in their match against the Netherlands, who deserved the win. Overall, he is pleased with his team’s performance in Hong Kong.

Speaking about the team’s finish in the tournament, the libero of Team Poland, Maria Stenzel, did not rule out the possibility of reaching the final four but emphasized the importance of continuing to play in the same style. The team coach also revealed that their initial target was to reach the finals, and they are close to achieving their goal. However, he stated that the team is not aiming to be the champion of the tournament and will focus on playing well in every match and improving themselves.

Meanwhile, China will play their final home match against Italy the following day, and Li Ying-ying hopes that her team can gain experience by playing against such a strong opponent.

(Featured image source: FIVB Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2023 presented by China Life (Overseas))

(Reported by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)