Lang Ping, head coach of the Chinese women's national volleyball team this week took an interview with domestic press, talking about the recent developments of the team's closed training sessions, her new request for the team's ace Zhu Ting and other issues.

It has been over 100 days since the team began the closed training. As they could play games with other teams, Lang focused on self-improving in areas like fundamental skills and stamina. She revealed that the players were making progress but staying isolated for so long also hurt their game passion, which required mental adjustments.

Injury has been a problem for the Chinese national team for a long time. For example, 33-year-old Yan Ni is still unable to attend regular practice. Neither Zhu Ting nor Yuan Xinyue are 100 percent healthy. Lang assured the reporters that Yuan's age won't be a problem and the coaching group will arrange rehabilitation sessions for her.

Since Lang took over, the women's team has already won two World Cup championships and one Olympic gold medal – it's safe to say that they are among the world's top. Nonetheless, Lang said her players still have a lot to work on, both in individual skills and in teamwork. Lang pointed out that China's two Asian major rivals, Japan and South Korea, actually have a lot to teach her players.

Zhu Ting is beyond doubt one of the world's best female volleyball players. However, that does not keep Lang from asking more from her. Lang stressed that Zhu, as such a huge threat to any team, will be put under the microscope with every detail of her game. The opponents will probably know her better than she knows herself. Therefore, Zhu must continue to get better – just like the old Chinese saying: "Sailing against the current – you must forge ahead or you will be driven back."

Lang again talked about the importance of complementarity in player selection. She wanted a balanced franchise in which every player can do what she's best at. For example, Zhu's offensive threat means she will spend a lot of time working in the front row. When this happens, the team will need reliable choices in the back row. When the Chinese national team can eliminate all their flaws, they will be truly unstoppable.