Agnieszka Korneluk (2nd R) of Poland spikes the ball during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
PARIS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Paris Olympics women's volleyball kicked off on Sunday at the South Paris Arena, with Italy and Poland securing victories.
Italy overcame the Dominican Republic 25-19, 24-26, 25-21, 25-18 in the opening match.
Despite not securing a clean sweep, Italy's Paola Egonu dominated the court, scoring a game-high 25 points, which accounted for over 25% of her team's total points.
The Dominican Republic's Gaila Ceneida Gonzalez Lopez led her team with 21 points.
"We suffered a little bit, but I saw the reactions of my teammates. I am happy with this reaction and good attitude because it's not easy to come back," said Italy's captain Anna Danesi, reflecting on her team's recovery after losing the second set.
In another match, Poland edged out Japan in a close encounter.
Japan saved a match point in the fourth set, nearly pushing the game into a five-set thriller. However, Poland's Martyna Czyrnianska turned the tide with a spike and an ace, sealing their victory with scores of 20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 28-26.
Japan's Sarina Nishida scored a game-high 26 points, while Poland's Agnieszka Korneluk led her team with 20 points.
In the men's volleyball matches on Sunday, hosts France narrowly defeated Serbia 3-2, and Slovenia beat Canada 3-1. ■
Miyabe Airi (C) of Japan saves the ball during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Gaia Giovannini (1st R) of Italy spikes the ball during the women's preliminary round pool C volleyball match between Italy and the Dominican Republic at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Gaia Giovannini (top L) of Italy competes during the women's preliminary round pool C volleyball match between Italy and the Dominican Republic at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Nishida Sarina (R) of Japan saves the ball during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Spectators watch the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Magdalena Stysiak (R) of Poland spikes the ball during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Ishikawa Mayu of Japan saves the ball during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Agnieszka Korneluk (R) and Magdalena Stysiak (C) of Poland block the ball during the women's preliminary round pool B volleyball match between Poland and Japan at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
