SHAOXING, China, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions VakifBank Istanbul were joined by Turkish rivals Eczacibasi Vitra Istanbul and two Brazilian clubs, Praia Clube and Minas Tenis Clube, to progress to the semifinals at the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship.
The semifinals will see Pool A first-ranked VakifBank face Pool B runners-up Praia Clube and Pool B winners Eczacibasi take on Pool A's second-placed Minas Tenis Clube.
Title holders VakifBank defeated 2018 South American club champions Minas Tenis Clube 3-0 (25-23, 30-28, 25-18) here on Friday to clinch the first place of Pool A.
Home star Zhu Ting was the leading scorer for VakifBank with 18 points, including 16 spikes and 2 blocks.
Minas had seen some chances in the second set, but Zhu's powerful attacking kept the momentum for the 2018 CEV Champions League winners. The two sides traded score after 24-24 until Cansu Ozbay's drop helped VakifBank seal the set 30-28.
"We won against a very good volleyball team. I was really impressed by their quality. Our reception was not at the best level that is why we struggled on offense, but in the end, we were able to solve that problem with good blocks and Zhu Ting's attacks in the decisive moments." VakifBank coach Giovanni Guidetti said.
Brazilian international Gabriela Guimaraes scored a team-high 14 points for Minas.
Host team Zhejiang Women's Volleyball Club survived a tough five-set thriller to beat France's Volero Le Gannet 3-2 (16-25, 25-19, 19-25, 26-24, 16-14) in the last clash of the day. Zhejiang thus surpassed Volero Le Gannet to finish third place of the group.
In Pool B, Eczacibasi came from one set down to defeat Praia Clube 3-1 (25-27, 25-21, 25-11, 25-21), ensuring that they finished top of the group.
"We played a regular match, except the second part of the first set when we lost control," said Eczacibasi head coach Marco Aurelio Motta. "We did not have a spectacular performance but we played okay after that."
Eczacibasi captain Jordan Larson led the game's scoresheet with 23 points from 18 spikes, three blocks and two services. Teammate Tijana Boskovic added 17 points.
"We came out strong to start the match," said Larson. "In the first set we let the lead slip away, but I am very proud of my team for continuing to fight and push through the match. I am excited for the semifinals tomorrow."
Earlier in the day, Asian club champions Supreme Chonburi of Thailand beat Altay Volleyball Club of Kazakhstan 3-1 (25-23, 25-20, 17-25, 25-17) to take third in Pool B, consigning Altay to last place after the Kazakh side lost all three of their matches.
