The Chinese women’s national volleyball team suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Belgium in the 2026 Nations League, falling 25–22, 23–25, 18–25, 20–25 in a hard-fought encounter on June 25. The result handed the Red Dragons their second consecutive loss in the tournament and highlighted continued struggles against physically imposing European sides.

Match Overview

Playing in front of a supportive crowd, China opened with a strong first set, using precise serving and quick attacks from the middle to take the early lead. However, Belgium’s powerful outside hitters and disciplined blocking system gradually shifted the momentum. After losing a tight second set, China’s reception broke down under heavy serve pressure, allowing Belgium to control the third and fourth sets with relative comfort.

Key Moments

• First-set turnaround: China rallied from 19–21 down to win 25–22, sparked by two aces from setter Diao Linyu.
• Second-set collapse: Leading 23–21, China lost four straight points, including two service errors, gifting Belgium the set.
• Belgium’s blocking clinic: The visitors recorded 14 blocks, with middle blocker Jodie Guilliams contributing five rejections.
• Fourth-set fight: China cut the deficit to 18–20 but three unforced errors sealed the match for Belgium.

Standout Players

For Belgium, opposite hitter Britt Herbots delivered a match-high 24 points, mixing heavy swings from the right side with smart tips against the Chinese block. Setter Elise Van Sas orchestrated the offense efficiently, keeping China’s blockers guessing with varied tempo.

On the Chinese side, outside hitter Li Yingying carried the attack with 19 points, but received insufficient support from the rest of the rotation. Captain Yuan Xinyue added three blocks and seven kills, though China’s middle-blocker production fell short against Belgium’s size.

Tactical Story

China’s game plan relied on high-tempo offense and aggressive serving, but Belgium’s serve-receive held up well, allowing them to establish their own system. The visitors targeted China’s libero with jump floats, disrupting passing and forcing hurried sets. China’s own service errors – 11 in the final three sets – undermined any chance of a comeback.

Belgium’s defensive discipline in the backcourt also proved decisive. Libero Mila Thys dug 16 attacks, extending rallies and frustrating China’s hitters, who hit only 38% in the last two sets compared to 51% in the first.

Season and Standings Impact

The loss drops China to 5-3 in the Nations League standings, sitting sixth as the tournament enters its critical second half. Belgium climbs to 6-2, strengthening their bid for a top-four finish and qualification for the Finals. For China, the defeat underscores the need for improved passing consistency and deeper contributions from the bench as they prepare for upcoming matches against top rivals Brazil and Italy.