Zhu-less China lose to Brazil 3-0 in women's Nations League opener

BRASILIA - China's women missed star player Zhu Ting as they lost 3-0 to Brazil here on Tuesday in their opening match at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

Playing without several Olympic champions including Zhu Ting, Yuan Xinyue and Ding Xia, China were beaten 25-15, 25-21, 25-21.

Liu Yanhan made 11 kills in 23 attempts to lead China with 11 points, while Zeng Chunlei finished 9-for-30 in attacking to add ten.

Gabriela Braga Guimaraes and Ana Paula Borgo Bedani Guedes contributed 20 and 16 points respectively to Brazil's total, helping to give the team a 53-37 advantage in attacking points over China.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Dominican Republic overcame Russia 3-1 in the other match in Brasilia.

16 teams are playing in the women's VNL preliminary round over five weeks, with the top five teams at the end of the preliminaries to join the hosts in the Finals, which will be held in Nanjing, China this July.