1998 🇨🇺 Cuba vs China 🇨🇳 🏐 Women Volleyball 🏐 FIVB World Grand Prix

1998 proved the most difficult year for Lang Ping’s coaching career spanning 1995 to 1998. Captain Lai Yawen was diagnosed with liver disease and another middle blocker, Wang Yi, departed the team. Furthermore Li Yan and Wang Ziling’s performances were declining. Post-match commentary: Three key players from China’s 1995–1997 squad were unavailable for this match. However, 2004 Olympic gold medallist No. 15 Wang Lina made her national team debut as a starter. With the veteran players out, new blood was needed. #8 Yin Yin (24, 1.83m) had been on the roster before but Lang Ping seems to favour #15 Wang Lina (20, 1.81m). Wang Lina’s power and vertical leap are reminiscent of a smaller Cuba's Luis. Her attacking style is aggressive but also versatile. She was a key player in the 1996 Olympic match against the US. Regla Torres, the premier middle blocker of the 1990s, was absent from this World Grand Prix. She competed in the BCV months ago but was omitted from the 12-player roster of World Grand Prix. Whether injury or coaching strategy caused this remained unclear. Despite uneven form, Cuba’s forceful attacks still present a challenge. The team depends on a lone setter, #2 Costa (25, 1.77m), who arrived during the second week. With several key players missing and only four gold medallists left, the match was remarkably tight. Even without Luis, Torres, and Costa, the “Queens” stay formidable.