Yuan Xinyue(C) of China spikes the ball during a women's volleyball preliminary second round match between China and Brazil at the 7th International Military Sports Council (CISM) Military World Games in Wuhan, Oct. 17, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Middle blocker Yuan Xinyue has joined the league powerhouse Tianjin women's volleyball club and will represent Tianjin to compete at the National Games.
TIANJIN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China women's national team star Yuan Xinyue has joined the Tianjin women's volleyball club, the Chinese side announced on Tuesday.
At more than two meters tall, Yuan is the tallest player on the national team. Her height gives her a powerful presence at the net with perfect blocking and attacking skills. She has won the World Cup twice with China in 2015 and 2019, and bagged the Rio Olympics title in 2016, and is considered a world-class middle blocker.
Yuan expressed her excitement over joining league powerhouse Tianjin. "I am very grateful to the Tianjin Sports Bureau and Chongqing Sports Bureau for letting me join the Tianjin team and have the opportunity to play," said Yuan. "The atmosphere at the club is very good and there are several national team teammates that I'm very familiar with."
Due to various reasons, Yuan has not played for nearly 15 months. She missed the national championship and the new season of the Women's Volleyball Super League since she last played in January 2020.
With the National Games qualifiers in Shaanxi starting soon, Yuan has joined the team at the training base on Tuesday. "Everyone highly values the National Games," Yuan said. "I hope to fit in as soon as possible and try my best to help the team do well at the National Games." ■
