USA vs China Prediction: the Young and Not So Young Chinese Players to Challenge the Champions

The Chinese team beat the Americans in last year's Nations League. However, in the last round - at that time, no one could move the U.S. team from first place. It will be interesting to see what the new China can do in a situation where the the average players will not give up points.

The Americans in this Nations League do not play long matches - only three-sets ones. So far they have won five such matches and lost one. The Philippines have no Drews or Thompson in week two, but have Kelsey Robinson and Kathryn Plummer. Both aren't opposite hitters, though, and Plummer is a dubious upgrade. However, both Bulgaria and Poland were defeated, although with Bulgaria it wasnt easy.

Cai Bin's renewed team also won five games out of six, but only managed to play to nil once, against the Belgians. Yuan Xinyue, Ding Xia and a few other experienced players are still in their place. The Chinese team beat them in four games, so they are likely to compete with the Americans.

It's hard to predict the outcome, but the weak attack zone of the U.S. team leads to believe that we're unlikely to see another 3:0 in favor of the Americans. Karch Kiraly's girls play strictly in rotation, which means it's Danielle Cuttino's turn to join the offense. She came to the Club World Championships in December. The only thing we know about her that her team lost both the semifinals and the third-place match - there was even a 25:7 game.

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