Recently, Zhu Ting announced the good news of her upcoming return to the Chinese women's volleyball team on her personal social platform, which is gratifying. Although she has not yet reached her peak state, Zhu Ting's return has undoubtedly strengthened her overall strength. Even if Zhu Ting is only slightly better than other domestic main attackers, it will still be beneficial to the national team. Therefore, we look forward to Zhu Ting's perfect integration in the national team and wish her good health.
With Zhu Ting's return to the team, the competition for the offensive position of the Chinese women's volleyball team has become more and more fierce. Once you qualify for the Paris Olympics, the competition for a place will be even more intense.
In the main attacking position, Zhu Ting, Li Yingying, Zhang Changning, Wang Yunrui, Wu Mengjie, Wang Yizhu and Zhuang Yushan will compete. Although there is no change in the receiving position, the adjustment of the main attacking position may have an impact on the selection of the second setter.
In the side attack position, only Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu have relatively stable positions. Li Yingying, as the core of the main attack, is the top scorer in the past two years, although there is still room for improvement, she has been recognized as the strongest main attacker in the Chinese women's volleyball world in terms of comprehensive strength except for Zhu Ting. Even if Zhu Ting's return may affect Li Yingying's starting position, she will still be an important member of the national team.
The position of Gong Xiangyu, the main receiver, is also stable. Despite her unsatisfactory performance in international competitions, she is still the strongest overall setter. If someone emerges during the training camp and replaces Gong Xiangyu as the starting receiver, it is not a big problem for Gong Xiangyu to serve as a substitute receiver. Unless the Chinese women's volleyball team fails to get a ticket to the Olympics, there is almost no suspense for Li Yingying and Gong Xiangyu to participate in the Paris Olympics.
As for the other seven wide attackers, they do not have a strong advantage in the Paris Olympics. Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning's strength is undoubted, but there are also certain variables between the two. Zhu Ting's wrist injury is still a concern, and she has been away from the national team for some time, so it is doubtful whether she can adapt to the current tactics. Zhang's situation is more complicated, she has been out of action for more than two years, and the extent of her recovery is unknown. Even if she is healthy, she will have to compete with the younger team members to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
In the past two years, the situation of Wang Yunrui, the main player of the national team, has been slightly embarrassing. If Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning return to their best condition, Wang Yunrui may not only lose his starting position, but even the substitute seat will be difficult to secure. However, from the perspective of cultivating newcomers, if Zhang Changning and Zhu Ting return to their former level, the main offensive substitute should obviously give priority to young players.