China’s women’s volleyball team begins its redemption journey at the 2025 Nations League in Beijing this Wednesday, facing Belgium in their opening match.
The team is eager to bounce back after a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Turkey. Since then, China has revamped its squad, replacing older players and appointing Zhao Young as head coach.
More than half of the 18 players in the squad will be making their international debuts this week. At a pre-tournament press conference, Zhao shared that playing in front of their home fans at the National Indoor Stadium brings both “pressure and motivation.”
“However, the motivation outweighs the pressure,” said Zhao, 49, who took over from former coach Cai Bin last month. “It has been years since Beijing hosted a major international tournament, so for this new generation, it’s a great source of encouragement.”
Zhao also highlighted the team’s commitment and determination to honor their country. “All the athletes have shown a strong desire to improve and grow through tough competition.”
Captain Gong Xiangyu, a seasoned player with a gold medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics and a 2019 FIVB World Cup win, said the team is ready to embrace a new chapter.
“We are a completely new team,” said Gong, 28, who is in her tenth year with the national team. “Every match against top-tier teams is a valuable learning experience, and the support we get from each other is our biggest strength.”
The Chinese team will begin their six-team tournament with a match against Belgium, followed by games against Poland, France, and Turkey.
China’s Squad for the 2025 Nations League:
- Outside Hitters: Wu Mengjie, Zhuang Yushan, Tang Xin, Dong Yuhan
- Middle Blockers: Wang Yuanyuan, Wan Ziyue, Shan Linqian, Chen Houyu, Wang Aoqian
- Opposites: Gong Xiangyu, Yang Shuming, Fan Boning
- Setters: Zou Jiaqi, Yin Xiaolan, Zhang Zixuan
- Liberos: Ni Feifan, Wang Mengjie, Zheng Xinyi
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