Osaka, Japan, November 8, 2006 -- China came from behind to overcome the United States 3-1 in their Pool F opener in Osaka on Tuesday.

The Chinese ran out 20-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-17 winners in the final game of the day at Osaka Municipal Gymnasium.

The United States edged out to an early lead as both teams checked each other out. Katherine Wilkins came up with blocks and spikes to put the U.S. ahead 8-6 at the first technical timeout and 16-13 at the second.

Nancy Metcalf then weighed in with a couple of blockbusters and the U.S. were helped by a good block, serve and spike from Heather Bown so that they stretched their lead to 23-18.

Zhang Ping came on as a substitute and immediately handed the Americans matchpoint with a long service. Tayyiba Haneef then wrapped things up with a big spike.

China didn't seem to have their act together at the beginning of the second set and coach Chen Zhonghe called a time out at 4-1 to try and straighten things out.

After falling 7-3 behind, the American had trouble receiving, allowing the Chinese to pull back to 6-7.

But the Americans managed to stay ahead of the Chinese and keep them under pressure, although neither side was dominating the match.

But then the Americans went cold and the Chinese took advantage of their lapse, moving from 15-13 down to 16-16.

As the American continued to lose their way, the Chinese capitalised and held on to their lead, ending the set with two fine plays by Song Nina.

The Americans sloppy play continued into the third set, interrupted occasionally by hefty spikes from Metcalf, Bown and Wilkins, but it was the Chinese who moved ahead with more controlled volleyball.

They were 8-5 up at the first TTO and moved to a 13-8 lead, mainly on sloppy American play.

The Americans were given a lifeline when the Chinese became sloppy and pulled back four points, once again relying on bombs from Metcalf, but the Chinese were still two points clear at the second TTO, thanks, in part, to a long service by Haneef and a rare spiking error from Metcalf.

The Chinese began to play more controlled volleyball and the wayward Americans couldn't keep up.

Wang Yimei came up with some good spikes, but she was well supported by her teammates as the Chinese pulled out to a 24-19 lead.

Wilkins tried to drag her team back into the set and Metcalf came up big to pull the scores back to 24-22, but the recovery ended there and Wang finished things off, putting the Chinese 2-1 up.

The Americans finally got the taste of a lead again early in the fourth set, but they soon found themselves behind again.

Two great spikes by Yang Hao followed by two blocks from Wang on Metcalf turned things around. A couple more spikes from Wang and the Chinese were 10-6 up.

Again the Americans relied on Metcalf to keep them alive, but Yang was finding her range well and three excellent spikes helped China to a 16-11 lead by the second TTO.

The Americans' woes continued after that.

Another block by Wang denied Danielle Scott and while Metcalf again tried to resist, the game was up. China was playing very efficient volleyball.

Yang delivered again, this time a block handing the Chinese matchpoint, which she converted with a thumping spike.