China eases past Iran to seal spot in Asian Championship quarterfinals

China booked its place in the quarterfinals of the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, following a 3-0 victory over Iran in Tianjin on Monday.

The tournament host prevailed 25-14, 25-23, 25-14 for its second straight triumph in Pool A, moving to six points without dropping a set.

The result guaranteed China at least second place in the pool and a spot in the elimination phase.

China quickly established control in the opening set before pulling away for a comfortable 25-14 win, but Iran provided a much tougher challenge in the second.

After the home team reached set point at 24-19, the visiting side reeled off four consecutive points to cut the deficit to one.

The host nation then regrouped after a timeout and converted the next point to grab the set 25-23.

The Iranians maintained the pressure early in the third, briefly moving ahead at 8-7.

But the Chinese ladies responded and gradually regained the initiative, with substitute setter Diao Linyu helping the home side regain its rhythm, on the way to prevailing 25-14 and sealing the 3-0 victory.

Zhuang Yushan led all scorers with 18 points, registering 15 kills and three blocks.

Captain Gong Xiangyu and middle blocker Chen Houyu added eight points apiece for China, while Fatemeh Khalili led Iran with nine.

China's second-straight triumph followed a dominant 3-0 win over Iraq in its opening outing, leaving the home team on top of Pool A with two wins from two contests.

The tournament host will meet Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, in its final pool match ahead of the quarterfinals.