Wang Yuanyuan (1st right) of China spikes during the women's volleyball preliminary round pool A match against DPR Korea at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct 2, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HANGZHOU - China smashed Democratic People's Republic of Korea 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-8) to win Pool A of women's volleyball tournament at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Monday, but its regular setter Diao Linyu withdrew midway due to a hand injury.

Diao hurt her finger in the middle of the first set and then remained on the bench until the end of the match.

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"It's my long-time injury, the doctor checked it out, and I don't think it's serious. I'll try my best to return to the court next match," said Diao.

"Even though there is little documentation or video of the DPR Korea side, we still made some studies on them," said China's middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan.

Four Chinese players, including Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan, Gong Xiangyu and Yuan Xinyue, got double digits in scoring. Choe Pokhyang led the DPR Korea side with 13 points.

Aruna Shahi (left) and Sangam Mahato (right) of Nepal block the ball during the women's volleyball preliminary round pool C match against South Korea at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Oct 2, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Elsewhere in Pool C, Republic of Korea eased past Nepal 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-11) to secure the second place of the pool with one victory and one loss. Vietnam won the pool with two victories.

Japan swept Kazakhstan 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-13) to secure its top place in Pool D, with Kazakhstan at second.

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In Pool B, Thailand finished first, ahead of Chinese Taipei.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Kazakhstan also secured their places in the quarterfinals.