Womens Volleyball-FIVB World Championships 2010

Turkey upset powerhouse China in four sets (19-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-17) in their opening match in Pool D at the FIVB Women's World Championship at Osaka Municipal City Gymnasium on Friday afternoon

Osaka, Japan, October 29, 2010 -  Turkey upset powerhouse China in four sets (19-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-17) in their opening match in Pool D at the FIVB Women's World Championship at Osaka Municipal City Gymnasium on Friday afternoon.

China came into the match ranked third in the world, while Turkey is 22nd, so it had all the makings of a mismatch. But Turkey had something to say about that.

In emphatic fashion Turkey overcame a 1-0 deficit for a stirring victory.

Turkey's Neslihan Darnel, the top scorer at the 2006 world championship, closed out the match with an ace and led her side with 26 points (22 on attack). Seda Tokatlioglu added 18 (all on attack).

China's Li Juan and Xue Ming both recorded 16 points, while teammate Ma Yunwen contributed 15.

Turkey had an 8-7 lead at the first TTO in the first set. The contest went back and forth in the opening set before China surged to a 21-16 lead. China closed out the set with a prodigious strike from Ma Yunwen.

Xue and Ma both had five points in the opening set. Darnel had the same for Turkey.

Turkey was up 16-10 at the second TTO in a second set that featured some good rallies. The impressive Turks took the set on a nicely placed tip by Naz Aydemir.

China won a wonderful rally that cut Turkey's lead to 11-10 in the third set.  China's Li Juan showed fortitude during the rally after taking a shot right in the face from the ball, but recovering to keep the ball in play shortly thereafter.

Turkey executed several option plays to perfection during the evening. Coach Mehmet Bedestenlioglu has formed a cohesive unit that exhibited team spirit throughout.

A nice block by Bahar Toksoy put Turkey up 24-18, but China responded with two points and then called a timeout. But Turkey was unfazed and ended the third set on a spike by Seda Tokatliogu.

The fourth set was closely fought. Turkey led 13-11 when China took a timeout to try and regroup, but could not reduce the deficit.

Turkey was up 16-13 at the second TTO and then scored three straight points to make it 19-13 before China responded with two of its own, but it was already too late.

China plays Canada on Saturday, while Turkey battles Russia.