SUWON, South Korea - China conceded a third defeat in the FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League here on Wednesday, falling to reigning world champions Serbia 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25.

China easily handed the first set over but recovered in the second with superior attacking play and staunch blocking.

Outsider hitter Li Yingying was the best scorer for China with 18 points, but it was Serbia's Tijana Boskovic who scored a game-high 25 points.

The lead went back and forth several times in the third set. Despite fending off two set points, China failed to turn the tide.

The two teams battled neck-and-neck from the beginning of the fourth set, but Serbia established a 15-12 lead and went on to win the match.

China, who lost to Poland and Italy last week, will face the Dominican Republic on Friday, hosts South Korea on Saturday and the United States on Sunday.