Three-time Olympic champions China play the Dominican Republic in Ningbo on September 23
Published 07:00, 06 Sept 2023
Momentum and home court advantage are the factors on China’s side when they compete at the Volleyball Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Ningbo from September 16 to 24.
The three-time Olympic gold medalists are looking to carry their momentum from their recent silver medal finish at the VNL and counting on their home fans when they meet the Dominican Republic in Pool A on September 23 at 19:30 local time (11:30 UTC).
China are aiming to clinch the Paris 2024 berth, for a chance to follow-up on their Rio 2016 gold medal win. Their last other two gold medal victories were at Los Angeles 1984 and Athens 2004.
Li Yingying has certainly stepped into a prominent role as the team’s scoring leader, who finished second in the preliminary round and third in the final round scoring charts of the 2023 VNL, while Gong Xiangyu helps on offense and Yuan Xinyue leads on net defense
The Dominican Republic have appeared in three Olympic Games editions (2004, 2012, 2020). Their best finish was in fifth place overall, reaching the quarterfinals at London 2012.
Brayelin Martinez and Gaila Gonzalez are the high-scoring tandem of the Dominican Republic. The Dominicans have experienced players like Yonkaira Pena, Jineiry Martinez, Niverka Marte and Brenda Castillo who all excel in their roles in the team.
The Dominicans prevailed over the Chinese in their five-set VNL clash in Suwon during the third week. Gonzalez and the Martinez sisters combined for 76 of the 107 total point output of the Dominican Republic.
SUBSCRIBE
TO OUR
NEWSLETTER
Newsletter subscribed successfully!
We respect your privacy. View our Privacy policy
