Chinese womens pairs advance, men out of beach volleyball

Chinese pair Xue Chen and Zhang Ying scored an easy victory at the Beach Volleyball World Tour on Thursday, defeating the Palmer-Jensen duo from Australia in two straight sets.

The city of Jinshan was the host venue for the 380,000 US dollar event. Xue and Zhang took control from the very start. The Australians could not to turn the tables after losing the first set 21-8.

With the victory, Xue and Zhang advance to the next round, together with two other Chinese women's pairs. But it was a totally different story on the men's side, where all three of the Chinese men's teams were knocked out of the qualification round.

Auriemma appointed U.S. womens basketball team coach

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Geno Auriemma has been named the U.S. women's national basketball team coach for the next three years, USA Basketball announced on Wednesday.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Auriemma was the best choice.

"There is no better coach in America than Geno Auriemma and we are delighted to be able to have a coach of his calibre lead our women's national team program through the 2012 Olympic Games," he said.

Auriemma won six NCAA championships with the University of Connecticut.

The Italy-born Auriemma was assistant coach of the U.S. women's team which claimed the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

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