Returning in the colors of Xi Mang Long Son Thanh Hoa, Chinese main hitter Cai Xiaoqing shows determination when continuing to stick with Vietnamese volleyball.
It feels like returning to my team, everyone is quite familiar with each other. When I received the invitation to return to Vietnam to compete, I really wanted to return one more time," Cai Xiaoqing shared.
This is the third time the Chinese main attacker has come to Vietnam, after round 1 of the 2024 national championship and VTV Cup 2024. Being able to compete at both club and international levels helps her have a relatively comprehensive view of Vietnamese volleyball.
According to Cai Xiaoqing's assessment, Vietnamese volleyball has clear differences compared to China, both in terms of operation and playing style.
There is still a significant difference compared to our domestic clubs. Chinese athletes are usually taller and bigger, so they have an advantage in attacking and blocking. Meanwhile, Vietnamese teams stand out in their defensive and first-footing ability," Cai Xiaoqing said.
Not only stopping at observing, Xiaoqing said that the experiences at the VTV Cup before also helped her and her teammates learn more to apply to the training process.
This year's national championship season is considered more attractive when the competition format has been adjusted, and at the same time many teams strongly invest in foreign players. Notably, the foreign player force not only comes from Asia but also expands to many other continents.
Faced with this diversity, Cai Xiaoqing admitted that she is quite familiar with Chinese athletes, but still needs more time to study the remaining opponents.
I am quite familiar with Chinese players because I often meet them in domestic leagues, so I understand their playing style. As for other foreign players, I have never seen them play, so I will definitely have to study more. But in general, everyone's strength is very good," Cai Xiaoqing emphasized.
However, in the face of increasing competition, Xiaoqing still maintains caution when talking about goals. This main attacker believes that the most important thing is still maximum effort and completion of the overall goal of the whole team.
First of all, I want to try to achieve the results like in the first round of the national championship 2 years ago. Teams are all getting stronger, including Thanh Hoa. When all clubs are improving, it is very difficult to say anything in advance. I can only try my best and complete the goals that the team has set," Xiaoqing affirmed.
With a well-invested force, the return of foreign players who once "caused a fever" and a team of experienced domestic players, Long Son Thanh Hoa Cement is showing that they are no longer just a relegation team.
Instead, coach Bui Huy Son and his team are ready to enter a fair competition in the top group of Vietnamese women's volleyball in the 2026 season.
