If you walk into a park in Beijing or a high school gym in Shenzhen, you’ll see it. It’s not just a game; it’s a cultural weight. The China women's national volleyball team isn't just a sports roster. To people here, they are "The Daughters of China." But lately, the conversation has shifted from "How many golds?" to "What on earth is happening?"
Honestly, the last few years have been a total rollercoaster. After the heartbreak of Tokyo and a "just okay" fifth-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the team has hit a massive reset button. They are currently in the middle of a identity crisis—but the good kind. The kind that usually happens right before a massive breakthrough.
The New Era Under Zhao Yong
When the Chinese Volleyball Association announced Zhao Yong as the new head coach in April 2025, it sent a clear message: the old guard is changing. Zhao isn't just some random appointment. He’s the guy who led the U17 squad to a world title in 2024. He knows the kids. And that’s exactly what this team is now—a bunch of incredibly talented, slightly raw, and very fast teenagers.
Zhao replaced Cai Bin with a mandate that is pretty much "Podium or Bust" for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. But 2026 is the year where the rubber really meets the road.
The roster is a weird, fascinating mix. You've still got the legends like Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu providing that steady veteran presence. They are the anchors. But then you look at the new faces. We’re talking about 16-year-old setter Zhang Zixuan and opposite Yang Shuming. These kids were literally playing junior ball a few months ago, and now they're staring down the best hitters from Italy and Brazil.
It’s bold. Maybe even a little risky?
What Happened in 2025? (The Reality Check)
If you followed the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), you saw flashes of absolute brilliance. The team actually looked great in the preliminary rounds. They finished 5th in the standings, bagging 9 wins. They even pulled off a wild reverse sweep against Germany in Texas, with Zhuang Yushan dropping 27 points like it was nothing.
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But then the World Championship in Thailand happened in August 2025.
That was a gut punch. After a perfect group stage, China got bounced in the Round of 16 by France. It was a 3-1 shocker. The critics were loud. People pointed out the "lack of aggression" and how the team mentally folded when France made tactical adjustments. It exposed a hard truth: you can't just rely on "spirit" anymore. You need tactical flexibility.
Why 2026 is the Critical Turning Point
Everything right now is building toward the 2026 Asian Championship. Why? Because under the new Olympic qualification rules, the winner of that tournament gets a direct ticket to LA 2028. No stress, no secondary tournaments, just a straight shot.
China is the host for 2026.
The pressure is going to be immense. But there's a different vibe this time. Coach Zhao is focusing on "mobility in blocking" and "service aggression"—basically, they're trying to play more like the modern European powerhouses (think Italy or Turkey) while keeping that signature Chinese speed.
The "Women's Volleyball Spirit" vs. Modern Reality
In China, they talk about nüpai jingshen (the women's volleyball spirit). It refers to the 1980s era when the team won five straight world titles. It's about grit. It's about never giving up.
But you can't win on grit alone in 2026.
The gap between China and the world's elite—teams like Italy and Poland—has been the lack of a "competitive atmosphere" at home. The Chinese league just isn't as fierce as the Italian or Turkish leagues. That’s why you’re seeing stars like Zhu Ting (who joined Conegliano) and Yuan Xinyue (who signed in Turkey) heading overseas. This is a massive shift in philosophy. The CVA is finally letting their best assets go out and learn how the rest of the world plays.
What to Watch For Next
If you're a fan or just getting into the sport, keep your eyes on these specific developments over the next few months:
- The Setter Evolution: Watch how Zhang Zixuan develops. If she can master the "fast-tempo" offense Zhao wants, this team becomes scary.
- The Asian Championship (Home Soil): This is the big one. If they don't win gold here, the road to the Olympics becomes a messy points-chase through the world rankings.
- Defensive Cohesion: The 2025 stats showed a dip in "reception efficiency." If they don't fix the pass, the flashy hitters won't matter.
The China women's national volleyball team is currently the youngest it has been in decades, with an average age hovering around 21. They are going to make mistakes. They are going to have "learning moments" like that France loss. but the ceiling? It’s still as high as it’s ever been.
To really stay ahead of the curve, you should track the player stats on the official VolleyStation portal and keep an eye on the FIVB live rankings. The shift in ranking points after every major match in 2026 will determine the seeding for the next World Cup cycle. Watch the younger players' performance in the domestic league during the winter—that's where the real roster battles for the Asian Championship will be won.
Actionable Insights for Fans
Keep a close watch on the 2026 VNL schedule specifically for matches against Japan and Thailand. These are the regional rivals that will test China's dominance before the Asian Championship. If China can consistently sweep these matches 3-0 or 3-1, it’s a sign that the "new era" transition is actually working. Pay attention to Zhuang Yushan's kill percentage; she is quickly becoming the go-to offensive weapon when the veterans are off the floor.
Download the official Volleyball World app to get real-time alerts for the 2026 season, as the match times for the Asian Championship will be optimized for the China Standard Time (CST) zone, which might be tricky for international viewers.
Next Steps for You
Check the updated FIVB world rankings to see how the 2025 results impacted China's standing heading into the 2026 season. You can also look for the official 2026 Asian Championship ticket release dates if you're planning to watch the team play on home soil.