Players of Thailand line up before the women's pool 3 match between China and the Thailand at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

NANJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Host China outlasted Thailand 3-2 here on Thursday to secure its first victory in the 2026 Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

Bouncing back from a 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic on Wednesday, the Chinese women defeated Thailand 25-14, 24-26, 25-19, 23-25 and 15-7 to improve to a 1-1 record in the Nanjing leg.

"We didn't play well yesterday, so today we focused on improving our performance and playing our own game," said Wang Yuanyuan, who came off the bench to score eight points for China.

Zhuang Yushan led China with 21 points, while Tang Xin, Wang Aoqian and Dong Yuhan added 18, 13 and 10 points respectively.

After dropping the opening set without much resistance, Thailand responded strongly to build a 17-14 lead midway through the second set. China fought back to level at 21-21 and moved ahead 24-22, but Thailand scored four straight points, including a block on Tang Xin, to take the set 26-24.

In the third set, China pulled away from a 12-12 tie to open a 21-15 advantage before closing out the set.

The fourth set was tied at 23-23 before Thailand produced two consecutive kills to force a tie-breaker, where China raced into a 9-3 lead and never looked back.

"We had chances to win the second and fourth sets but couldn't take them," Wang added. "I think we need more experience to perform better at crucial points."

Earlier on Thursday, Poland swept the Czech Republic 25-22, 25-22 and 25-20 for its second win in as many days. ■

Thatdao Nuekjang (C) of Thailand gestures during the women's pool 3 match between China and the Thailand at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Sasipapron Janthawisut (L) of Thailand competes during the women's pool 3 match between China and the Thailand at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Players of Thailand celebrate during the women's pool 3 match between China and the Thailand at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Bo)