VOLLEYBALL: The Australian Volleyroos wrapped up their three-game series against China with a 3-1 win at the AIS in Canberra, sealing a 2-1 series win over the highly ranked Chinese.

The win caps a dream start for new Australian coach, Roberto Santilli, and newly appointed captain, Tom Edgar, ahead of the start of World Series in Adelaide next week.

Most pleasing for Santilli was the fighting qualities of the new-look Australian team, decimated by injuries and unavailable players, but often working their way back into sets after falling behind early.

In Tuesday’s third set, with the game locked at 1-all, China raced to a 4-2 lead.

But then an incredible service run by Paul Sanderson, one of the fiercest serves in the world, put Australia in front 8-4.

Sanderson has returned to the Australian team this year after a long health battle last year, and is already making his mark for the Volleyroos.

The win gives Australia the Hancock Perpetual Cup, named in recognition of the strong links Volleyball Australia Patron, Gina Rinehart, has with both countries.

China is currently ranked 17th in the world, four behind Australia, and will be one of the Volleyroos main opponents later this year when the battle for Rio 2016 positions begin.

Australia took the opening set in Canberra 25-22 in front of around 600 people, but then trailed for most of the second set before losing 25-20.

China looked to be in control early in the third, before Sanderson’s service run got the Volleyroos back into the set and in control of the match.

They took the third, 25-23, and then fought back from 12-9 down in the fourth to take the set 25-21.

Australia heads to Adelaide next week to make its debut in the top division of World League.

Their first task is a daunting one – world number four, Italy, over two nights next Friday and Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA