Chinese Taipei rallied from a 1-2 set deficit to beat Australia, 23-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-21, 15-6, in the AVC Cup for Women Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Kan Ko-Hui showed the way with 16 points, while Chang Li-Wen added 15 points for the Taiwanese, who rose to 1-1 in Pool B.
Despite recording six aces, Chang admitted that they were struggling in the service area, allowing the Australians to capture the first and third set.
“I think in the first set, our service was not very strong, they had good reception,” said Chang after the two-hour, 47-minute contest. “After we got our target, our service became stronger. Maybe, in the fourth set and in the fifth set, it was better.”
Chinese Taipei will wrap up its preliminary round stint against Thailand at 4 p.m. Wednesday, with the No. 2 ranking in Pool B at stake. The Thais also sport a 1-1 record.
Chang knows that like Japan, which is leading Pool B with a 2-0 slate, Thailand also has fast plays.
“I think Thailand and Japan, they have similar team styles,” said Chang, emphasizing the need for her squad to have good timing to counter their opponent’s play.
Caitlin Tipping came through with 27 points, including a combined 16 in the Volleyroos’ first and third set wins, while Rebecca Redgen and Stefanie Weiler chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Australia had 18 blocks, with Tipping and Weiler each accounting for five.
“They are too tall, we want good defense but it was not easy and the tempo was not very fast,” said Chang.
The Volleyroos, who will take on the Japanese at 1 p.m. on Thursday, fell to 0-2.