S. Korea beats Australia in men's volleyball

South Korea defeated Australia 3-2 (20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 20-23, 15-9) to open the men's volleyball tournament at the Summer Universiade Thursday.

Down 7-5 in the decisive fifth set, South Korea reeled off eight consecutive points to take control. Australia fought back with a couple of points but committed an error to concede the match-clinching point at Yeomju Gymnasium in Gwangju.

Jung Ji-seok led South Korea with 21 points and Jeong Dong-geun chipped in 17 points.

Max Staples had 22 for Australia in the losing cause.

Preliminary matches in volleyball were played across the region on the eve of the opening ceremony.

Australia was in control early and won the first set 25-20.
South Korea fought back to take the second set 25-20 and came out more aggressive in the third set, winning 25-20.

South Korea wasted an opportunity to end the match in the fourth set. It led 19-17 but allowed Australia to rally and take the set 25-23.
   The host returned the favor in the fifth set, erasing an early deficit with an array of attacks and blocks.
   South Korea will next play Chinese Taipei on Friday, and then Argentina on Saturday, Czech Republic on Monday and the United States on Tuesday.
  
Earlier Thursday, South Korea lost to China 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17) to begin the women's competition at the Summer Universiade.

In the Group A showdown, the host couldn't contain the Chinese attack led by Zhao Na's 16 points and Ren Kaiyi's 15 points at Suncheon Palma Gymnasium in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, southeast of Gwangju.

South Korea went ahead 10-3 in the opening set before China stormed back to take the first frame.

It was much the same story in the second set. South Korea managed to take the third set but ran out of gas against the taller opponents.

The average height for the Chinese team was measured at 178.8 centimeters, more than 7 centimeters taller than South Korea. China boasted seven players over 180 centimeters, while South Korea had none.

In women's volleyball, 16 countries have been paired into four groups of four, with the top two nations from each reaching the quarterfinals.

South Korea will next face Chile on Sunday, followed by Colombia on Monday. (Yonhap)