The Chinese national women"s volleyball team started the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL) campaign with a 3-1 comeback win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.
China claimed the victory 16-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23 at the Ankara Sports Hall of Turkey.
Led by new head coach Cai Bin, the Chinese women"s team includes 24 players with Yuan Xinyue as the captain. Outside hitter Li Yingying, opposite Gong Xiangyu and setter Ding Xia are among the big names on the squad.
Young talents who performed well in China"s domestic league, such as outside hitter Wang Yizhu, setter Diao Lingyu and libero Ni Feifan, add vitality to the squad. Others contribute to the team"s efforts include spikers Jin Ye and Wang Yunlu, and middle blockers Yang Hanyu, Gao Yi and Zheng Yixin. Miu Yiwen, Cai Yaqian and Wang Weiyi were also on the final roster.
The VNL is the first major international event after Cai took over the reins and the first time the Chinese women"s team showed up at an international volleyball court after they failed in the preliminary round in Tokyo last year.
China will next face Pool 2 hosts Turkey on Friday, before playing European champions Italy on Saturday and Asian rivals Thailand on Sunday.
The women"s VNL started on Tuesday (May 31), with the finals to be played here from July 13 to 17.
