The Chinese national women's volleyball team recently kicked off its new Olympic cycle with a competitive showing at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) held in Beijing, recording two wins and two losses.

This event marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the team under the leadership of newly appointed coach Zhao Yong, who transitioned from a youth coaching role in April.

Comprising a roster where most of the 18 players are debutants, the team features several young talents, including 17-year-old middle blocker Wang Aoqian, 21-year-old outside hitter Zhuang Yushan, and 19-year-old Tang Xin.

While veteran captain Gong Xiangyu, 28, provides experience, over half of the team is new to high-stakes international competition.

The young players demonstrated their potential throughout the tournament.

Notably, Wang Aoqian delivered a standout performance in her match against France, finishing with six kills from six attempts.

Zhuang Yushan also made a significant impact, scoring 25 points against Turkey and contributing 15 points in the previous match against France.

The main attacker Tang Xin complemented this youthful lineup with efficient offensive plays while setter Zhang Zixuan facilitated team coordination and strategy on the court.

This orientation towards youth is reflective of China’s successful developmental framework, as seen with the U17 women’s team that secured a gold medal in the 2024 championships under Zhao’s guidance.

Zhuang’s accolades, including being named MVP at the 2023 U21 World Championship, illustrate the strength of this talent pipeline that has now transitioned to the senior level.

China ended the Beijing leg of the VNL with a record of two wins against Belgium and France, and losses to Poland and Turkey.

This performance signals improvement compared to previous Olympic cycles, where the team faltered.

A highlight of the tournament was the match against France, where China managed a decisive victory with scores of 25-17, 25-18, and 25-11, led by Wu Mengjie and Zhuang, who scored 17 and 15 points respectively.

Conversely, the matches against Poland and Turkey revealed challenges, particularly in high-pressure moments.

In these encounters, China failed to capitalize on match points, leading to losses after significant leads were squandered.

The team's struggles with critical point execution were underscored by technical statistics indicating that unforced errors surged to 37 percent during crucial moments, markedly higher than those of their opponents.

Breakdown in serve reception and miscommunication were noted as contributing factors undermining offensive strategies.

Despite these hurdles, Coach Zhao acknowledged the progress made by the young team, indicating that inconsistency is a part of their developmental process.

Regular rotations, combined with exposure to the rigors of international competition, are seen as opportunities for growth and improving tactical understanding.

Competing at the National Indoor Stadium, which has historical significance as a dual Olympic venue, the team attracted over 16,000 spectators on peak days, generating approximately $1.5 million in revenue.

The atmosphere created by local fans was credited with boosting team morale, although it also introduced heightened expectations that can add pressure during performances.

The upcoming Hong Kong leg of the VNL, set to take place from June 18 to 22, presents further challenges, with fixtures against Japan and Italy on the horizon.

Observers will watch for the team’s ability to address issues in serve-receive under pressure and to close out tight sets effectively.

As the team continues this journey, the solidified support from patrons reflects a broader resilience associated with the national volleyball program, which has a rich history of overcoming challenges.