In addition to the superstar Zhu Ting, the fans of the China Women’s Volleyball National Team won’t see two other pillars defending the country’s colors this year.
Besides Zhu Ting, two other important levers, Zhang Changning and Yao Di, won’t be at the disposal of the new China Women head coach Cai Bin in the upcoming international season.
The expert who succeeded legendary Lang Ping summoned as many as 71 players for the initial gathering of the national team but few big names are missing. As for Zhu, it’s clear for some time that she’ll miss international duties in 2022. Another star of the national team of the Rio Olympics winner, Zhang, is out. The 26-year-old outside hitter has just undergone surgery. In the meantime, her brother Zhang Chen, a former national team member, has been appointed assistant to Cai. Finally, the starting setter Yao Di said she won’t play for China this year to fully recover from physical problems that she has been struggling with for a few seasons.
Recall that Yan Ni announced her retirement in November.
