In the match, Zhuo Yushan achieved 6 successful serves out of 21 attempts, emerging as the unsung hero for the Chinese women's volleyball team in their victory over Japan.

In the same match on the 21st, the Chinese women's volleyball team showcased their strength with powerful attacks from position 4 and quick strikes. Despite Zhuo Yushan scoring less than in the earlier matches, her contributions in other aspects were notable. In the fourth set, when China led 22-21, she defended against two strong attacks from Japan, neutralizing their offensive efforts, and the winning point for China also came from her serve. This 22-year-old from Fujian is truly the unsung hero of the Chinese women's volleyball team.

Zhuo Yushan with head coach Zhao Yong

In the match against Bulgaria on Thursday (19th), which went to five sets, Wu Mengjie stepped up at crucial moments. However, if it weren't for Zhuo Yushan's consecutive points earlier, Wu Mengjie might not have become the hero of the win. Wearing jersey number 2, Zhuo Yushan was a regular starter against Japan. The Chinese team started strong in the first set, with offensive strategies featuring Wu Mengjie’s powerful strikes from position 4, along with Wang Yuanyuan and Chen Houyu scoring through quick attacks. Zhuo Yushan, as a main attacker, only scored 1 point, which was even lower than the score of setter Zhang Zixuan.

Captain Gong Xiangyu of the Chinese team played more minutes than in the previous two matches. With the scoring spread out, Zhuo Yushan focused more on defense. Although she may not be as physically imposing as her teammates, standing at 1.84 meters still gives her a 10-centimeter advantage over Japan's setter and receiver, Yuki Tanaka. During net play, she forced Tanaka into making more difficult shots, resulting in three attacking errors in the first set.

Zhuo Yushan scored only 1 point from 7 attacks in the first set

Zhuo Yushan managed to score just 1 point from 7 attacks in the first set, but her offensive power was unleashed in the second set, where the Japanese team could not stop her strong attacks. She scored 5 points from 7 attacks, helping the Chinese women's volleyball team secure a dominant victory in that set with a score of 25-12. Coach Zhao Yong temporarily substituted Zhuo Yushan in the third set with Dong Yuhan, but the quality of reception from Dong was significantly lower than Zhuo's, affecting the team's offensive organization. Zhuo Yushan had 21 serves throughout the match, with 6 successful points, leading the Chinese team, while Dong Yuhan's 5 receptions did not convert into any points, highlighting the difference in their reception skills.

In the crucial moments of the fourth set, Zhuo Yushan's defensive skills came into play. With China leading 22-21, Japan's Sato Yoshino launched two strong attacks. Zhuo Yushan, who was in the back row, successfully defended against both, allowing Wu Mengjie to score and maintain the lead.

Standing at 1.84 meters, Zhuo Yushan (number 2) still lacks sufficient blocking ability

At 22 years old, Zhuo Yushan hails from Fujian. She won second place in a badminton competition in her hometown of Zhangzhou at the age of 9 but was favored by local volleyball coaches due to her height. She made a name for herself in the 2022 Asian Cup, where her reception and defensive skills were particularly noted. In 2023, she led the Chinese women's volleyball team to win the U21 World Championship as captain and is also a member of the Chinese team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Zhuo Yushan is very passionate on the court

Zhuo Yushan scored a total of 12 points, successfully received 6 serves, and executed 8 diving saves throughout the match. It's no wonder she is referred to as the "all-around warrior" of the Chinese women's volleyball team. In a previous match against the Czech Republic, she also showcased her versatility, performing well in various positions including front row, back row, position 4, and position 2. While she may not stand out as much as main attackers like Wu Mengjie and Li Yingying, her balanced offensive and defensive skills, along with her ability to uplift the team spirit, truly make her an unsung hero.