The Chinese women's volleyball team suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat (25-23, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25, 12-15) against a resilient Slovenia side in the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League on June 10. Despite a strong start and flashes of brilliance from their veteran stars, China could not close out the match as Slovenia's tactical adjustments and fearless attacking turned the tide in the decisive fifth set.

The match, played in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, showcased the intensity of the VNL as two rising volleyball nations battled for crucial points in the standings. China entered the contest with a balanced record, while Slovenia looked to build momentum after early tournament matches.

Match Overview and Key Moments

China dominated the early exchanges with powerful serves and efficient blocking. Outside hitter Li Yingying and captain Yuan Xinyue led the offensive charge, helping China take the first set 25-23. The second set saw Slovenia respond with improved defensive organization, exploiting gaps in China's backcourt to level the match at 1-1.

The pivotal moment came early in the third set when Slovenia's star opposite hitter Eva Mori began finding her rhythm. China, however, countered with a 5-0 run anchored by Zhu Ting, the legendary attacker who finished with a match-high 28 points. China claimed the third set 25-20 and appeared poised to win in four sets.

Slovenia’s Resilient Comeback

Slovenia refused to fade. Coach Marco Bonitta's tactical timeout midway through the fourth set shifted momentum. Libero Živa Kriško produced a series of spectacular digs, while middle blocker Sara Najdić blocked China's spikers three times in the final minutes. Slovenia took the fourth set 25-22, forcing a decisive fifth set.

In the final set, China led 8-6 at the side change but then suffered a service error and two consecutive attack errors. Slovenia seized control with a 5-0 run, eventually closing the match 15-12. The result marked Slovenia's first win over China in VNL history.

Standout Players

• Zhu Ting (China) – 28 points, 4 blocks, 2 aces. The superstar showed her class but lacked consistent support in crunch time.
• Eva Mori (Slovenia) – 24 points, 3 blocks. The versatile opposite hitter was unstoppable in the final two sets.
• Yuan Xinyue (China) – 15 points, 6 blocks. Dominant in the first three sets but faded slightly as Slovenia adjusted.
• Živa Kriško (Slovenia) – 28 digs, 78% positive reception. Her defensive work gave Slovenia second chances repeatedly.

Season and Table Impact

With this loss, China dropped to a 3-3 record in the VNL preliminary round, jeopardising their bid for one of the top spots heading into the Finals. Slovenia improved to 4-2, strengthening their position among the tournament's surprise packages. Both teams continue their campaigns next week against top-tier opponents. For China, the challenge now is to rediscover consistency before their next match against Japan.