Full coverage: 2016 Rio Olympics

China faced the Netherlands in the Olympic volleyball semifinals. Lang Ping’s team upset the favorites Brazil in the quarters in a five-set battle Tuesday, dashing the hosts’ hopes of winning a third consecutive Olympic gold. And China looked to maintain that momentum going in the last four.

China's women's volleyball team has powered their way into the final of this year's Olympics, downing the Netherlands 3-1. They will next take on Serbia for the title. [Photo: Xinhua]

The Dutch defeated China in the group stage in five sets, but it was China that come away with the opening set of the semis 27-25 to take a 1-0 lead.

But Holland came back to claim the second frame 25-23.

The third set went to extra points and the two-time Olympic champs won 29-27 for a 2-1 lead.

The fourth was close as well, but Lang’s team edged the Dutch 25-23 to complete a hard fought 3 sets to 1 victory. Next up for China is Serbia in the gold medal match Saturday.