China announces roster for women's volleyball world championship

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China Monday unveiled a 14-member squad for the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship in Japan as big names Zhu Ting and Zhang Changning spearhead a team including 10 world championship debutantes.

"For many players in our squad, this is their first World Championship. They don't have much experience to deal with the pressure from the opponents. Veterans that have played in the Olympics need to rise to the occasion when needed," said Lang Ping, coach of the Chinese national team.

The 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship will start on Sept. 29. During the tournament, 24 teams from five continents will compete against each other in 103 matches, hoping to be crowned champion on Oct. 20.

Chinese women volleyball players Zhu Ting (L) and Gong Xiangyu (R) in training. /VCG Photo

The participating teams are divided into four groups after the drawing of lots, six in each. After the first round played in a round-robin system in four different cities, the top four teams of each group will advance to the second round.

China was drawn into Group B together with Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria, Canada and Cuba, who will be China's opponent in the opener on Sept. 29 in Sapporo.

The full list of the roster is as follows:

Outside spikers: Zhu Ting, Zhang Changning, Liu Xiaotong, Li Yingying

Middle blockers: Yuan Xinyue, Yan Ni, Hu Mingyuan, Yang Hanyu

Opposite hitters: Gong Xiangyu, Zeng Chunlei

Setters: Ding Xia, Yao Di

Liberos: Lin Li, Wang Mengjie

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency