Macao, China, August 17, 2014 – Japan recorded a perfect weekend by defeating China to win Pool I of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2014 in Macao, while Korea concluded this year’s campaign with a win over Serbia.

Korea first struck European powerhouse Serbia 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 26-24) on the last match day at the Macao Forum. Coming off from tough five-set matches on Saturday, Serbia and Korea went head to head with their best offence but it was the former, who really came out firing in the first set. Korea had trouble with Serbia’s big block, forcing them to attempt several off-speed attacks. Serbia served tough, notching four aces to gain comfortable advantage and the set win over Korea 25-20.

Korea came out with more intensity in the second set, giving Serbia a tougher challenge. Kim Yeon-Koung delivered a big block and followed-up with two service aces to pull her squad to tie the score with the Serbians at 6-all. Serbia fougth back and utilised their huge block and powerful left side attack to jump ahead 19-14.

With the set slipping away, Kim Yeon-Koung stepped up once again and came up with powerful stints at the service line that brought her team to within two points. Not to be outdone, Kim Hee-Jin came to serve for Korea and went on to score four unanswered points, putting Korea ahead 24-22. The two teams just traded points to close out the set 25-23 in favour of Korea.

Both teams treated their supporters with a number of spectacular rallies in the pivotal third set. There were a series of lead changes and deadlocks but it was a block from Bae Yoo-Na that allowed the Koreans to gain a three-point edge at 22-19. Serbia could not spark up a run as Korea rolled on to take the set 25-19.

The fourth set continued to be a tight battle between the two teams, neither of them able to take significant lead over each other. The lead switched several times until another deadlock occurred at 24-all. A hitting error by Serbia put Korea in the lead and serving for the match. Then a tough Korean serve led to an over-pass that was promptly put on the floor by the Korean middle hitter 26-24.

Japan then outshined Asian rivals China 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 18-25, 28-26) in front of a full house crowd.  Both teams showed no signs of fatigue after their five-set matches on Saturday. Japan managed to hold a one-point advantage at the first technical timeout until they gained momentum to build a bigger lead as China suffered from their blocking. As the score stood at 21-17, Japan looked in control but their hitting errors allowed China to pull within two points. That was the closest the Chinese squad could get as the Japanese regrouped and quickly closed the set 25-20.

The second set started out much like the first set except that China had the one-point advantage at the first technical timeout. Japan managed to catch up and built an 18-14 lead with the help of their excellent backcourt defence. Japan suddenly committed hitting errors that allowed China to pull back to tie the score at 18-all. The score remained close until Saori Kimura came off the bench and served an ace to pull her team ahead 24-22. China could not convert on their attack until Ishii sealed the set victory from a left-side kill.

China came out strong in the third set, determined to prevent a straight-set loss. They built up an early 8-4 lead from inspired plays, but Japan fought their way back to tie the match at 10-all. From then on, the Chinese defence set the pace causing trouble to Japan. China surged to a 22-14 lead and the eventual win in the set 25-18.

Japan started off strong in the fourth set and jumped to an early 4-0 lead, forcing China to take a timeout. China continued to struggle on attack that helped Japan take their lead further 12-8. China sparked another run and tied the score at 21-all. Both teams battled in spectacular rallies that resulted in another deadlock at 24-all. The set extended for a few more points until Japan gained the upper hand 27-26 and a passing error from China handed the match victory to Japan 28-26.

Japan and China now head off to Tokyo for the Finals starting on 20 August.  Serbia’s loss confirmed their elimination from this year’s campaign, together with Korea who shift their focus to the Asian Games in Incheon next month.