Team China celebrate a point during the Pool E Phase 2 match on Day 16 of the FIVB Women's World Championship 2022 in Rotterdam on October 9, 2022. Photo: VCG

China cruised past Belgium in straight sets 25-18, 25-18, 27-25 in their last group match at the FIVB Women's World Championship in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on Sunday, securing a spot in the quarterfinals meanwhile ending the Belgians' campaign at the tournament.

Outside hitter Britt Herbots scored game-high 21 points but was unable to avoid the Yellow Tiger's defeat as four Chinese players scored double-digits including outside hitters Li Yingying (16) and Wang Yunlu (15), middle blockers Wang Yuanyuan (11) and Yuan Xinyue (10).

Two-time champion China finished with 20 points after a 7-2 win-loss run in the pool, currently sitting in the third place behind world top two Italy (25) and Brazil (23).

China has to wait for the outcome of another match between Japan and hosts the Netherlands later in the day to decide their opponent in the quarterfinals. If Japan wins 3-0 or 3-1, they take on Brazil in the last eight while China gets Italy. Otherwise, China is to play with Brazil while Japan is to challenge world No. 1 Italy.

On Saturday, Italy concluded their group stage campaign by beating China 26-24, 25-16, 25-20, securing the top place in the pool and a spot in the quarterfinals.

Opposite Paola Egonu, the top scorer for the Italian team, swept 27 points to lead the Nations League champions to victory in a rematch of the semifinal of the 2018 World Championship when Italy advanced to the final after a five-set thriller.

Middle blocker Anna Danesi added 12 points for Italy, while outside hitter Wang Yunlu led the charge for China with 11.

On Thursday, China edged the Netherlands in a breathtaking five-set clash to claim their second win, remaining undefeated in the second phase of the group stage.

Trailing 14-10 in the deciding set, the Netherlands saved two match points before captain middle blocker Yuan Xinyue's spike sealed the victory (22-25, 25-21, 25-15, 18-25, 15-12) for China in a rematch of the bronze medal game at the 2018 worlds.

Xinhua