TIANJIN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's 11-time volleyball league champions Tianjin have signed two national team members in preparation for the 2019 Asian Women's Volleyball Club Championship, which takes place in Tianjin later this month.
Head coach Chen Youquan announced the new squad at a pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday, revealing that Gong Xiangyu and Liu Xiaotong will join their Tianjin-born national teammates Li Yingying, Yao Di and Wang Yuanyuan for the Asian tournament.
"Gong and Liu have both completed their move and will later come to Tianjin alongside with Li Yingying, after they finish at the national team training camp," Chen said.
The Tianjin women's volleyball side has lifted the Asian Championship four times in their previous eight appearances, and has high hopes for this year's edition of the continental club tournament.
"We value this competition highly," Chen said. "To better prepare for it, we made a thorough training plan and secured new signings from other clubs."
The 2019 Asian Women's Volleyball Club Championship runs from April 27 to May 5, and features champion teams from 11 countries and regions including Thailand, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Iran and China's SAR Hong Kong.
Thai teams have been the dominant force over the past decade, winning six tournaments, while teams from China and Japan have won twice apiece.
