Changes in store for China team after poor Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong showing
Setter Zhang Zixuan being benched for Italy match and singling out of middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan give coach Zhao Yong points to ponder
China’s women’s volleyball head coach could ring changes to his starting line-up at the coming Nations League final round in Macau, after some dismal performances saw his team finish with their worst results in Hong Kong last week.
In four matches at Kai Tak Arena, China beat only Ukraine, while losses to Canada, the Dominican Republic and Italy saw Zhao Yong’s side drop a place in the world rankings to No 7 and concede almost 22 ranking points..
A winning ratio of only 25 per cent was the lowest for China in six trips to the city since 2018, and the only time that they finished with a losing record.
While head coach Zhao did not speak after the match, outside hitter Zhuang Yushan did not mince her words when asked to comment on the team’s performance, and suggested that their 3-1 loss to the Dominican Republic was hardly an upset.
“The current Chinese women’s volleyball team is not as strong as it was in its peak period. We don’t have particularly strong individual abilities, so we need to play as a team and rely on our team spirit,” she said.
Zhuang, who finished with 17 points against Italy, also admitted their results in Hong Kong did not meet expectations.