Zhu Ting (No.2) of Team China and Ding Xia (No.16) celebrate a point against Team United States during the women's preliminary - Pool B volleyball on Day 4 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Arena on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: VCG

Chinese women's national volleyball team head coach Lang Ping remains calm after her team suffered a second consecutive defeat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Tuesday, saying the team need to improve on their blocks.

The Olympic defending champions were defeated 3-0 in straight sets by the USA team, which currently ranks world No.1, with Jordan Thompson contributing 34 points to their win.

"They are well-rounded, especially their No.12 [Thompson]. We don't know very much about this player," Lang said of Thompson. "It's a fierce competition though we conceded another 3-0. Admittedly, we need to improve our blocks."

China were also beaten in their opening game against Turkey in straight sets on Sunday. But suffering defeats in the group stage is nothing new to the national team which suffered three defeats in the group stage before bouncing back to win gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. 

Captain Zhu Ting, the outside hitter considered the major contributor in China's offense, scored only 18 points on Tuesday. She was troubled by a wrist injury.

"She has done her best," Lang said. "I hope the other spikers can also contribute in the attacks."

Of Zhu's 18 points, 16 come from 37 spike attempts. The athlete said the wrist injury impaired her flagship powerful spikes. 

But Lang ruled out that she would have the captain take a break to recover.

"Who can replace her if she takes a break? There is no time for your wrist to relax when you spike. I hope she can persist," Lang said. "It's not a good time to take a break."

Though the Tokyo Olympics does not allow fans to step into the stadium to watch the Games, several Chinese fans who are working in Tokyo were chanting for the national team when they arrived in the Ariake Arena.

"We are cheering for the national team outside the stadium to make them feel they are not alone here in Tokyo," a fan said. China, whose group also includes Italy and ­Argentina, will take on the Russian Olympic Committee on Thursday. 

"We have to take the games one by one and shake off any nervousness," Lang noted.