SHAOXING, China, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey continued their momentum at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship here on Wednesday, claiming their second straight-sets victory by beating France's Volero Le Gannet 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-17).
Chinese star Zhu Ting scored a game-high 23 points for VakifBank, including 20 from spikes and 3 from blocks. Turkish international Ebrar Karakurt and Kelsey Robinson of the United States also reached double-digit figures with 16 and 12 points respectively.
"We defended very well, we played against a very good team, we have to fight for every point," VakifBank's head coach Giovanni Guidetti said. "Today's team was more physical and much higher in their blocking. They were stronger and more powerful. It was more difficult [than yesterday's game]."
The defending champions, now in first place in Pool A with six points, will secure a spot in the semifinals if Zhejiang Women's Volleyball Club don't defeat Minas Tenis Clube in the other Pool A clash tonight.
In Pool B earlier in the day, Brazil's Praia Clube cruised past Altay Volleyball Club, beating them 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-17). Praia Clube's Nicole Fawcett scored 18 points to lead her team to their second group win.
