My Soulmate is A Libero
“The first pass determines the team’s floor, the second pass and the attackers determine the team’s ceiling; any weakness in any of these links will lead the team to failure.” —Newton
On the Chinese team’s side, it was not just Tong Shulan who was injured. There was also Qiao Mingming. As the team captain, he had been playing full five-set matches for a long time and had always been the primary attacker. This had left him with many hidden risks. To give Qiao Mingming a break, Huang Mi was temporarily substituted in the first half of the first set.
This made Tong Shulan anxious. He knew that Huang Mi had potential, but he was too young. This led to him having the same rough demeanor as many old-school attackers on the national team when they were young—a poor first pass.
Huang Mi was currently decent at blocking but lacked consistency in receiving. So, when he came on, he could only be used as a strong opposite attacker who didn’t receive. However, there was another problem here—Huang Mi’s attacking skills weren’t at the level of a top-notch number 3 attacker.
Putting him in is purely to fill in for Qiao Mingming, and also to see if this rookie who had never played before could become a surprise force against Brazil, catching them off guard.
Newton admitted there was an element of gambling involved.
But soon, he found out that having Huang Mi as a dedicated attacker was viable because the Guangdong twin stars were giving their all.
Li Ling, as the main setter, provided a sense of security for everyone when he stepped onto the court. Nobody had to worry… okay, maybe there were some worries, but Li Ling was on point today and started showcasing his skills towards the end of the first set.
The role of a setter isn’t just to receive the ball from the first pass and deliver it to the attackers. They are not only the relay station for the ball but also the commanders, the tactical brains. Therefore, they have the obligation to provide the attackers with smooth and comfortable sets, as well as select the best attacking points in the team that can avoid the opponent’s block.
Everyone thought that when Li Ling jumped from position 3, he was going to set the ball to Aizimaiti, but unexpectedly, the ball was sent toward the back of Li Ling. Huang Mi took advantage of this opening and jumped, smashing the ball onto the Brazilian team’s floor.
Just from this one play, Huang Mi displayed a level of power and prowess comparable to Qiao Mingming’s!
Newton immediately widened his eyes, “Wow! A rising star?”
Wang Yan asked, “Who’s the rising star? Xiaomi?”
Tong Shulan shook his head, “No! It’s Li Ling!”
A good setter can turn an ordinary attacker into a world-class one. Whether a setter can step up and activate the entire team with brilliant sets during difficult matches is one of the criteria for evaluating whether a setter is a top-tier player. Tom of the US team relied on this skill to make a living.
Since his partner Qin Chunxiao was a defensive specialist, and his teammates were all outstanding attackers, Li Ling didn’t need to step up against strong teams before because his teammates would always take the lead.
This time it was his turn.
Qin Chunxiao took a deep breath and focused some of his attention on Li Ling. He began to monitor his movement and position. When the opponent hit the ball over, Qin Chunxiao intentionally placed the ball in the most comfortable position for Li Ling to set, and at the right height.
Those who understood the game exclaimed, “What a comfortable ball!”
To provide such a comfortable set to the setter while dealing with a powerful spike from Dominique, Misha Qin’s touch was probably world-class.
Li Ling was still in position 3. This time, he made a motion as if he was going to set the ball backward. Everyone thought he was going to perform a backset, but to their surprise, Li Ling pushed the ball high up vertically. He then stepped back several steps, creating space, and You Ziyu had already completed his approach. He jumped and spiked the ball into the far corner of the Brazilian team’s backcourt.
This fantastic diagonal line shot put immense pressure on the Brazilian players, prompting them to request a Hawkeye challenge.
Mars, who had been on the sidelines the whole time, hesitated for a moment. He wasn’t sure if the ball was in or out; perhaps his age had affected his eyesight. Seeing the players’ determination, he nodded, signaling for the challenge.
The replay began, and in slow motion, it showed that Yu Zi-yu’s shot landed right on the baseline, staying in play.
Brazil’s challenge failed, and the score was now 16:14.
“Hooray! Brazil’s challenge failed! Squid’s baseline shot was amazing!”
“Squid’s ball control skills are incredible, right? Hubei’s serving team has been training everyone in ball control since the youth team, or else Squid wouldn’t have the foundation to practice high-rotation underhand serves!”
Mars rubbed his eyes and said, “Getting old.” In his younger days, he would have confidently judged that this particular play shouldn’t be challenged if the player were 10 years younger. But now, he had to wear reading glasses, and his confidence in his eyesight wasn’t what it used to be.
In the first set, China managed to pull through, but in the second set, Huang Mi, who wanted to continue playing, was figured out by Brazil’s libero, Billy, who read his playing style. The Brazilian team also marked him as an easy target for blocking.
Newton sensed the danger and quickly substituted Huang Mi, sending in Qiao Mingming. China’s offensive power was further enhanced with Qiao Mingming’s entry, but at the same time, Brazil also substituted their new setter, Eddie.
Eddie lacked Caique’s experience but possessed what Caique had lost over time – abundant physical fitness, jumping ability, and front-line defensive skills. Eddie’s height was already an advantage, and his performance at the net was much more solid than Caique’s. So when he came in, China faced a challenging situation.
In the realm of blocking, there’s a term called “solo block,” meaning a player blocking the opponent by themselves. Typically, a successful solo block, like Qin Chunxiao’s solo block against William of the US team in the past, would be celebrated for a lifetime and featured in the top ten blocks of a player’s career.
Eddie was a solo block specialist. He could successfully block many players without needing much support from his teammates, and his teammates were also skilled in this aspect.
Brazil had a stronger blocking lineup than China. They had the beast Dominique, and China’s strength coach, former weightlifting champion Wang Chuntian, had a serious expression on her face, saying, “In any game, as long as the ball can’t cross the net, you’ll ultimately lose. The Chinese women’s volleyball team relied on excellent blocking to defeat the Japanese women’s volleyball team multiple times. That’s the key.”
China’s blocking was dominant within the Asian region, but against Brazil, they found themselves in a weaker position. Brazil’s lineup of opposite attackers was simply too strong, with four of them ranked in the top ten in the world, three from Russia, and four from Brazil, leaving only three spots for other countries.
China only had Fu Xiaoji capable of challenging the top ten, but he had a fatal weakness – his height, just over two meters. In the world of men’s volleyball, where giants roamed, even someone over two meters tall could be considered unremarkable.
The fact that someone over two meters tall could still be disadvantaged due to his height showed how brutal the Olympic arena had become!
In fact, Fu Xiaoji’s misfortune lay in the timing. His talent was world-class in every aspect, and when he was discovered by the coach of the Hainan provincial team, the coach’s hands were trembling with excitement. However, the Tokyo Olympics cycle seemed to have a special magic… this generation of talent was too abundant. The golden age of men’s volleyball couldn’t describe it adequately; it was more like a diamond age.
World-class talent like Fu Xiaoji was overshadowed by these prodigies. Through his own efforts and the whip of Lao Niu, he struggled his way into the ranks of top-level opposite attackers.
The resilient Fu Xiaoji held up China’s defense at the net, blocked the paths for Brazil’s libero, coordinated with the setter for the offense, and provided cover for the primary attackers and outside hitters.
This time, Fu Biyang didn’t lose focus. Regardless of how Eddie tried to deceive him, he didn’t fall for it. So, even though Brazil’s offense was formidable, when they secured the second set, the score on both sides was 28:26, and China didn’t fall too far behind, even pushing Brazil beyond the 25-point mark.
In the third set, Tong Shulan was substituted in, and China continued to hold their ground. Even to the discerning eye, it was clear that Brazil had a stronger team and a more luxurious lineup, but these Chinese players refused to take a step back. When they were behind, they fought back; when they were ahead, they fought to maintain their lead.
Wu Di said, “It’s truly a battle of wills. Fu Biyang holds the front line steadfastly, and Qin Chunxiao is exceptional. Among all the teams that have faced Brazil in this Olympics, he has the highest defensive efficiency so far.”
Li Laiheng added, “Li Ling is also outstanding. His passing today is precise and stable, and he’s handling the rotation well. So, the attackers feel comfortable, and he has effectively supported China’s offense today. He’s been fantastic.”
“Wow! Mom, I watched you transform from a fan into a complete athlete. I’m so proud!”
“Today was unbelievably amazing!”
“The twin stars have always been giving their all to support their teammates.”
“Xiaoji was really determined today, quietly holding his position for a long time.”
Towards the end of the third set, Fu Biyang dislocated his finger when Dominique smashed the ball. He left the court, received immediate medical attention, which involved resetting the bone, and then had his middle finger, which had dislocated, and his still-intact index finger bound together.
This allowed him to continue blocking.
There was no time to go to the hospital now. Kong Duojin replaced Fu Biyang on the court, but Fu Biyang remained on the bench, ready to step in at any moment.
You Ziyu’s wrist was also under a lot of strain, but his high-rotation underhand serves were currently the most effective serves against Brazil. To score, he couldn’t afford not to use them. Qin Chunxiao still had a bruise on his forehead, and the areas on his arms where the skin had been scraped off were still bandaged. If he needed to leap, he would still leap.
However, when the reliable Fu Biyang temporarily went off the court, China’s situation became even more challenging. They lost the third set and were falling behind in the fourth set.
At this point, Newton had exhausted his options. He had played all the cards he had, and both Qiao Mingming and Fu Biyang had reached their limits. Other athletes were also in top form, so the only thing left was to use their “blood bars.”
They had lost for too many years, and been a weak team for too long. Just catching up with the strong teams was not easy. To win, they had to use their “blood bars.”
Qin Chunxiao charged towards a ball spiked by Dominique once again and was knocked down to the ground. The ball soared high, and while Qiao Mingming attempted a leap, he couldn’t save it.
Brazil’s offensive efficiency was incredibly high. They understood their strengths and had Dominique for powerful spikes. For China to avoid losing points, they had to defend. When Huang Mi was on the court and not defending, China was losing points rapidly, like bleeding.
They were dragged into a situation where they exchanged blows and blood with Brazil, but it was clear that the other side’s knives were sharper. Newton called for a timeout at this critical moment.
“The essence of winning a game is either being better at defense than the opponent, being better at offense than the opponent, or being equally matched in offense and defense but having more resilience than them. We can reach the same level as them, and I believe in your determination.”
As he spoke, he made some changes to the lineup.
Attackers: Qiao Mingming, Tong Shulan, Yuzi Yuzi, and Li Ling.
Setter: Li Ling.
Libero: Qin Chunxiao.
Gao Depi was on standby off the court, ready to switch positions with Qin Chunxiao during rotations.
Newton had introduced a blood-pumping, aggressive lineup. Except for Qin Chunxiao, who played as the libero, everyone else on the court was capable of offense, including Li Ling.
“Tomorrow, we have to face Italy. But you all know that your chances of winning against Italy are similar to your chances against Brazil. Moreover, everyone has expended so much energy today. If we can’t win now, we will definitely lose tomorrow, and we’ll be stuck in the quarterfinals. You definitely won’t be satisfied with that result, will you?”
Their coach stood up. “So today, we must win. Mingming, you don’t need to defend anymore. Every player in this lineup is quite versatile. The players I’m going to send in next are also 3D players. You don’t have to exert any effort on defense, just focus on offense.”
“Got it? Others, it’s the same for you. Except for blocking, don’t worry about the other defensive aspects. Xiaozai, you hold the fort alone!”
Qiao Mingming extended his hand. “Let’s do this.”
Captain Mingming shouted, “Let’s go!”
“Let’s go!”
Wu Di commented, “Alright, we can see that China has changed its formation. Coach Newton has brought in an offensive powerhouse lineup. Almost every player on the court now has a history of leading their respective provincial teams to the top four or even winning in domestic competitions.”
Li Laiheng added, “Yes, before joining the national team, they were the offensive cores of their provincial teams. After entering the national team, due to our strong lineup of attackers, many players have undergone transformations and shifted their focus to different positions to find their new roles. The most typical example is Qin Chunxiao, who was the starting opposite attacker for Guangdong but plays as a libero for the national team.”
“This is an ultra-offensive formation.”
“Having watched international matches for so long, I’ve become accustomed to their disciplined teamwork. I almost forgot that these players have a history of being wild and aggressive in domestic competitions.”
“Now, the question is, since we’ve shifted to an offensive formation, doesn’t it leave me as the only libero in the back row?”
“Oh my, can I handle it?”
Can I handle it?
Before re-entering the game, Qin Chunxiao put on a red wristband and told himself, “I can handle it.”
The current score was 1:2, with Brazil already winning two sets. If they let Brazil take the fourth set, the game would be over, and China would lose 1:3. Given their current fatigue, there was no guarantee they could win against Italy tomorrow.
They couldn’t settle for just the quarterfinals. If they stopped now, who could guarantee that they would be able to participate in the next Olympics? Qin Chunxiao couldn’t.
“Some gold medals are not up for grabs. If we don’t win today, there won’t be a next time,” Tong Shulan told himself. He walked up to Qin Chunxiao and extended his wrist. “Let’s do this.”
Qin Chunxiao extended his wrist, wearing the red wristband, and bumped it against Tong Shulan’s.
Qiao Mingming walked to his position. “Don’t worry about fancy stuff; just set me up high, and I’ll smash it.”
Starting from the fourth set, the Chinese team returned to their fierce and aggressive style.
Li Ling continuously provided excellent passes that were well-disguised, opened up opportunities to avoid the block, and set the ball high for the attacking players. They bombarded Brazil’s positions relentlessly.
What made Brazil’s team wince was that these Chinese attackers all employed the technique of single-leg jump landings to gain an advantage in their attacks. It seemed they were willing to sacrifice their joints to ensure Brazil’s defeat.
What was even more painful for Brazil was that they had lost to Italy yesterday! The world’s number one setter, Mattia, had given them a tough time. If they lost this match today, they would also be eliminated in the quarterfinals. That’s why the Brazilian team was fighting so desperately today.
In the backcourt, Qin Chunxiao moved with the courage to carry the defensive load alone. He had long abandoned any thoughts of slowing down. His mind was all about acceleration. As long as he could catch up to the ball, who cared about the wear and tear on his joints?
As Lao Niu had said, China could match Brazil in terms of both offense and defense, as long as they were willing to pay the price.
Before Newton called for a timeout, the score in the fourth set was 13:16, with Brazil leading by 3 points. After the game resumed, China fought hard and managed to tie the score at 20:20.
Even Mars, who had thought Brazil had pushed this team into a corner just now, was stunned. Although China was indeed resilient, he admired their team spirit. However, the gap in strength couldn’t be bridged.
Now these young men had ignited their passion. Did they still want to turn the tide?
He said to Caique, “We can’t let them reverse the situation, Caique. Get ready; I’ll bring you in to serve at the right time.”
Even though he was getting older, Caique was still a top-notch serving expert and posed a significant threat to the Chinese team.
On the Chinese side, Qiao Mingming thumped his chest and exclaimed, “Let’s shatter Brazil’s dream of Tokyo today! The champions will be our Chinese team!”
The fourth set quickly reached a score of 23:24, with Brazil holding a set point. They only needed to win one more point to end the match.
Just one last point.
“I’m so nervous; if we lose this point, it’s all over.”
“Italy is very strong this year, and our chances of winning tomorrow are too low. If we don’t win this match, we won’t advance.”
“I used to only want to see the men’s volleyball team qualify for the Olympics, but now I really want to see them reach the top four, stand on the podium, or even become champions.”
“I know our foundation isn’t strong enough, and we are grassroots compared to the traditional powerhouses. We haven’t had an easy game since our youth team. But just knowing how hard they’ve come all this way, I don’t want to see them lose!”
“Grassroots? We are not grassroots. We are a volleyball powerhouse too. It’s just that in this cycle, the men’s team has gradually regained its past glory. We have teamwork, technique, and physical qualities that are not inferior to Europe and the United States. Why shouldn’t we win!”
Dominique spiked the ball, and it was a must-win point for him. Regardless of the height and power he had already reached his limits, but Qin Chunxiao appeared at the end of the ball’s path. He made a precise bump, sacrificing himself and diving to the ground as the ball’s momentum carried it in a comfortable arc.
“Er Leng!”
Li Ling jumped up, both hands raised, and pushed the ball to the right.
24:24, China turned the tables on Brazil’s set point!
Wu Di commented, “Li Ling scores with a second hit!”
Li Laiheng added, “Beautiful. Li Ling is undoubtedly the best second setter for quick attacks in China right now.”
24:25, Brazil had another set point.
This time it was Joshua’s attack, and he was good at hitting diagonal shots. But this time, he chose to hit out of bounds. The experienced player managed to hit the ball on Qiao Mingming’s fingertips, sending it towards the spectator stands.
Li Ling dove for it, stumbled, and fell to the ground. He reached out and pushed the ball backward, preventing it from hitting the ground. However, the ball was flying towards the spectators.
A figure dashed by, and Qin Chunxiao sprinted on the court. This outstanding libero maintained astonishing composure at this crucial moment. He watched the ball and thought, “This is the second hit. I need to bump the ball into the perfect position for an attacker to spike it. But Brazil’s block is tight. The only one who might be able to spike through the gap is…”
“Squid!”
He shouted his teammate’s name and pushed the ball upward with both hands, his knee hitting the block. He lost his balance and tumbled into the spectator stands, and it seemed like he might have bumped his neck.
It hurt. After such a fall during a sprint, Qin Chunxiao had tears in his eyes. But he couldn’t afford to cry. He stood up, crossed the barrier, and ran back onto the court.
“Saved! Saved!”
“He saved it!”
“The ball hasn’t touched the ground yet!”
“Twin Stars, ahhhh!”
Squid stood at position five, raised both hands backward, and used his leg power to jump to an unprecedented height. The ball drew a large arc through his hands in the air and precisely landed on Brazil’s baseline.
In-bounds! 25:25, China once again leveled the score.
Chinese fans who witnessed this scene felt like their hearts were about to fail. Once again, the Chinese team teetered on the edge of defeat and then fought their way back.
Next, the Chinese team managed to lead with a score of 26:25, but Brazil, spurred on by their entire team going all out, turned it around to 26:26. With Caique’s serve, Brazil once again took the lead at 26:27.
This was Brazil’s third set point, and this time, Brazil’s opposite hitter Mason and setter Caique executed a quick attack.
At this point, some fans began to clutch their chests anxiously. Was China about to lose again?
Qin Chunxiao was still sprinting across the court, his eyes fixed on the yellow and blue volleyball. Audiences saw a young man wearing a yellow jersey with a blue headband, a green patch on one side and bandages on the other, looking miserable and disheveled, but he was running so fast.
In the end, he dived, executing a beautiful fish dive, and sent the ball into Li Ling’s hands.
Li Ling pushed the ball forward smoothly, sending it over Brazil’s block, and Qiao Mingming spiked it once again.
27:27.
For the third time, the Chinese team turned the tables. It seemed that they remained composed even in dire situations, still determined to win.
Finally, You Ziyu rotated to position one.
He cradled the ball, raised it with a powerful punch high into the air. The ball, spinning rapidly, rose almost to the ceiling before descending rapidly, slamming onto the floor on Brazil’s side.
28:27.
With You Ziyu serving again, the ball was received by Billy, and Brazil began to organize a counterattack, determined to defeat China in the fourth set.
Billy’s serve was high, suitable for either a pass or a spike. Eddie made a jump, preparing to spike it, but at that moment, a pair of arms appeared in front of him.
Those were Tong Shulan’s arms, acting like a wall in front of him. Eddie’s shoulders twisted flexibly in mid-air, changing the direction of the ball in the process. He aimed to spike it over Tong Shulan’s right hand. He had observed this player carefully; he was left-handed, and even if he could spike with his right hand, he couldn’t possibly use his right…
However, at that very moment, Tong Shulan unexpectedly switched to a right-handed block. His palm precisely blocked the volleyball, and he flipped it onto Brazil’s side. This time, Billy couldn’t make the save.
Li Laiheng exclaimed, “Tong Shulan scores with a block!”
“Tong Shulan’s solo block against Eddie, I can praise him for a lifetime for this block!”
“What a block! Come on!”
The ball hit the ground, making it 29:27, and China secured the fourth set.
“Excellent!” Newton clenched his fists and roared.
Chang Xiaolei jumped with excitement. “It’s 2:2! It’s 2:2!”
China had completely tied the score with Brazil, and now they were back on equal footing, starting the final leg of the race.
In the fifth set, the players stretched their joints, applied ice packs, replenished their fluids, and returned to the court.
The Brazilian team watched this battered Chinese team, with their sweaty hair, flushed faces, disheveled clothing, and numerous bandages and patches. They knew that in their opponents’ eyes, they probably looked just as disheveled.
It seemed that since their first encounter, the Chinese team had never won in style. The last time they defeated the Brazilian team, it was the same—a bunch of desperados. Yet, they could still win, like a pack of wolves in the jungle, unstoppable even by harsh winds and snowstorms, tearing apart their prey.
In the past, Brazil had only been in such a tough situation against teams like Italy and Russia. Now, China was another formidable opponent.
In the fifth set, the Chinese team took the lead with 14 points. This was the first time they had a set point, and Brazil was prepared to fight them to the end for this last point.
But they didn’t anticipate one thing: Qin Chunxiao’s big heart that allowed him to keep making crucial saves on the brink of defeat without making mistakes. Billy, on the other hand, might not be able to do the same.
Liu Yuelou jumped and smashed the ball towards Billy. Billy ran forward with his hands crossed, ready to receive the ball. However, the ball didn’t go as he hoped. It didn’t fly above Eddie’s head as he intended. Instead, it went over Eddie’s hands and landed on Brazil’s net, then fell on their side. Dominique had leaped to save it but fell short by 5 centimeters.
Due to those 5 centimeters, the game ended.
Qin Chunxiao crouched on the ground, taking deep breaths. His vision was blurred, but as he watched the ball land, a satisfied smile crossed his face.
They had won.
In the round-robin stage of the quarterfinals, the Chinese team secured two victories, which meant they had clinched a spot in the semifinals and secured their ticket to the next round.
“I can’t believe it. Did we just block Brazil out of the quarterfinals?”
“The top contenders are eliminated in the quarterfinals? And it was our Chinese team that blocked them?”
“Wait a minute, did we just shatter the world’s number one team’s Olympic champion dream?”
Did they really win?
Everything felt like a dream.
The Chinese team, however, remained calm. After celebrating, they sought the team doctor and went through their post-match routine. When interviewed by sports reporters after the game, a sports reporter asked, “Congratulations on reaching the semifinals. Qiao, do you feel more relaxed now? Are you planning to rest tomorrow?”
Anyway, we’ve already made it to the semifinals, so whether we win or lose against Italy tomorrow doesn’t matter. Our key players can take a good rest.
That was what the reporter meant. By asking this question, he was also considering the possibility that Newton might arrange things this way. He was giving the audience a heads-up in advance, so that public opinion wouldn’t go haywire.
Qiao Mingming wiped his sweat and said, “Huh? We won’t lose again. We will win every game from now on.”
Qin Chunxiao added, “That’s right, we’ll give it our all tomorrow and aim to beat Italy.”
The reporter seemed surprised, “Oh?”
My Soulmate is A Libero
“The first pass determines the team’s floor, the second pass and the attackers determine the team’s ceiling; any weakness in any of these links will lead the team to failure.” —Newton
On the Chinese team’s side, it was not just Tong Shulan who was injured. There was also Qiao Mingming. As the team captain, he had been playing full five-set matches for a long time and had always been the primary attacker. This had left him with many hidden risks. To give Qiao Mingming a break, Huang Mi was temporarily substituted in the first half of the first set.
This made Tong Shulan anxious. He knew that Huang Mi had potential, but he was too young. This led to him having the same rough demeanor as many old-school attackers on the national team when they were young—a poor first pass.
Huang Mi was currently decent at blocking but lacked consistency in receiving. So, when he came on, he could only be used as a strong opposite attacker who didn’t receive. However, there was another problem here—Huang Mi’s attacking skills weren’t at the level of a top-notch number 3 attacker.
Putting him in is purely to fill in for Qiao Mingming, and also to see if this rookie who had never played before could become a surprise force against Brazil, catching them off guard.
Newton admitted there was an element of gambling involved.
But soon, he found out that having Huang Mi as a dedicated attacker was viable because the Guangdong twin stars were giving their all.
Li Ling, as the main setter, provided a sense of security for everyone when he stepped onto the court. Nobody had to worry… okay, maybe there were some worries, but Li Ling was on point today and started showcasing his skills towards the end of the first set.
The role of a setter isn’t just to receive the ball from the first pass and deliver it to the attackers. They are not only the relay station for the ball but also the commanders, the tactical brains. Therefore, they have the obligation to provide the attackers with smooth and comfortable sets, as well as select the best attacking points in the team that can avoid the opponent’s block.
Everyone thought that when Li Ling jumped from position 3, he was going to set the ball to Aizimaiti, but unexpectedly, the ball was sent toward the back of Li Ling. Huang Mi took advantage of this opening and jumped, smashing the ball onto the Brazilian team’s floor.
Just from this one play, Huang Mi displayed a level of power and prowess comparable to Qiao Mingming’s!
Newton immediately widened his eyes, “Wow! A rising star?”
Wang Yan asked, “Who’s the rising star? Xiaomi?”
Tong Shulan shook his head, “No! It’s Li Ling!”
A good setter can turn an ordinary attacker into a world-class one. Whether a setter can step up and activate the entire team with brilliant sets during difficult matches is one of the criteria for evaluating whether a setter is a top-tier player. Tom of the US team relied on this skill to make a living.
Since his partner Qin Chunxiao was a defensive specialist, and his teammates were all outstanding attackers, Li Ling didn’t need to step up against strong teams before because his teammates would always take the lead.
This time it was his turn.
Qin Chunxiao took a deep breath and focused some of his attention on Li Ling. He began to monitor his movement and position. When the opponent hit the ball over, Qin Chunxiao intentionally placed the ball in the most comfortable position for Li Ling to set, and at the right height.
Those who understood the game exclaimed, “What a comfortable ball!”
To provide such a comfortable set to the setter while dealing with a powerful spike from Dominique, Misha Qin’s touch was probably world-class.
Li Ling was still in position 3. This time, he made a motion as if he was going to set the ball backward. Everyone thought he was going to perform a backset, but to their surprise, Li Ling pushed the ball high up vertically. He then stepped back several steps, creating space, and You Ziyu had already completed his approach. He jumped and spiked the ball into the far corner of the Brazilian team’s backcourt.
This fantastic diagonal line shot put immense pressure on the Brazilian players, prompting them to request a Hawkeye challenge.
Mars, who had been on the sidelines the whole time, hesitated for a moment. He wasn’t sure if the ball was in or out; perhaps his age had affected his eyesight. Seeing the players’ determination, he nodded, signaling for the challenge.
The replay began, and in slow motion, it showed that Yu Zi-yu’s shot landed right on the baseline, staying in play.
Brazil’s challenge failed, and the score was now 16:14.
“Hooray! Brazil’s challenge failed! Squid’s baseline shot was amazing!”
“Squid’s ball control skills are incredible, right? Hubei’s serving team has been training everyone in ball control since the youth team, or else Squid wouldn’t have the foundation to practice high-rotation underhand serves!”
Mars rubbed his eyes and said, “Getting old.” In his younger days, he would have confidently judged that this particular play shouldn’t be challenged if the player were 10 years younger. But now, he had to wear reading glasses, and his confidence in his eyesight wasn’t what it used to be.
In the first set, China managed to pull through, but in the second set, Huang Mi, who wanted to continue playing, was figured out by Brazil’s libero, Billy, who read his playing style. The Brazilian team also marked him as an easy target for blocking.
Newton sensed the danger and quickly substituted Huang Mi, sending in Qiao Mingming. China’s offensive power was further enhanced with Qiao Mingming’s entry, but at the same time, Brazil also substituted their new setter, Eddie.
Eddie lacked Caique’s experience but possessed what Caique had lost over time – abundant physical fitness, jumping ability, and front-line defensive skills. Eddie’s height was already an advantage, and his performance at the net was much more solid than Caique’s. So when he came in, China faced a challenging situation.
In the realm of blocking, there’s a term called “solo block,” meaning a player blocking the opponent by themselves. Typically, a successful solo block, like Qin Chunxiao’s solo block against William of the US team in the past, would be celebrated for a lifetime and featured in the top ten blocks of a player’s career.
Eddie was a solo block specialist. He could successfully block many players without needing much support from his teammates, and his teammates were also skilled in this aspect.
Brazil had a stronger blocking lineup than China. They had the beast Dominique, and China’s strength coach, former weightlifting champion Wang Chuntian, had a serious expression on her face, saying, “In any game, as long as the ball can’t cross the net, you’ll ultimately lose. The Chinese women’s volleyball team relied on excellent blocking to defeat the Japanese women’s volleyball team multiple times. That’s the key.”
China’s blocking was dominant within the Asian region, but against Brazil, they found themselves in a weaker position. Brazil’s lineup of opposite attackers was simply too strong, with four of them ranked in the top ten in the world, three from Russia, and four from Brazil, leaving only three spots for other countries.
China only had Fu Xiaoji capable of challenging the top ten, but he had a fatal weakness – his height, just over two meters. In the world of men’s volleyball, where giants roamed, even someone over two meters tall could be considered unremarkable.
The fact that someone over two meters tall could still be disadvantaged due to his height showed how brutal the Olympic arena had become!
In fact, Fu Xiaoji’s misfortune lay in the timing. His talent was world-class in every aspect, and when he was discovered by the coach of the Hainan provincial team, the coach’s hands were trembling with excitement. However, the Tokyo Olympics cycle seemed to have a special magic… this generation of talent was too abundant. The golden age of men’s volleyball couldn’t describe it adequately; it was more like a diamond age.
World-class talent like Fu Xiaoji was overshadowed by these prodigies. Through his own efforts and the whip of Lao Niu, he struggled his way into the ranks of top-level opposite attackers.
The resilient Fu Xiaoji held up China’s defense at the net, blocked the paths for Brazil’s libero, coordinated with the setter for the offense, and provided cover for the primary attackers and outside hitters.
This time, Fu Biyang didn’t lose focus. Regardless of how Eddie tried to deceive him, he didn’t fall for it. So, even though Brazil’s offense was formidable, when they secured the second set, the score on both sides was 28:26, and China didn’t fall too far behind, even pushing Brazil beyond the 25-point mark.
In the third set, Tong Shulan was substituted in, and China continued to hold their ground. Even to the discerning eye, it was clear that Brazil had a stronger team and a more luxurious lineup, but these Chinese players refused to take a step back. When they were behind, they fought back; when they were ahead, they fought to maintain their lead.
Wu Di said, “It’s truly a battle of wills. Fu Biyang holds the front line steadfastly, and Qin Chunxiao is exceptional. Among all the teams that have faced Brazil in this Olympics, he has the highest defensive efficiency so far.”
Li Laiheng added, “Li Ling is also outstanding. His passing today is precise and stable, and he’s handling the rotation well. So, the attackers feel comfortable, and he has effectively supported China’s offense today. He’s been fantastic.”
“Wow! Mom, I watched you transform from a fan into a complete athlete. I’m so proud!”
“Today was unbelievably amazing!”
“The twin stars have always been giving their all to support their teammates.”
“Xiaoji was really determined today, quietly holding his position for a long time.”
Towards the end of the third set, Fu Biyang dislocated his finger when Dominique smashed the ball. He left the court, received immediate medical attention, which involved resetting the bone, and then had his middle finger, which had dislocated, and his still-intact index finger bound together.
This allowed him to continue blocking.
There was no time to go to the hospital now. Kong Duojin replaced Fu Biyang on the court, but Fu Biyang remained on the bench, ready to step in at any moment.
You Ziyu’s wrist was also under a lot of strain, but his high-rotation underhand serves were currently the most effective serves against Brazil. To score, he couldn’t afford not to use them. Qin Chunxiao still had a bruise on his forehead, and the areas on his arms where the skin had been scraped off were still bandaged. If he needed to leap, he would still leap.
However, when the reliable Fu Biyang temporarily went off the court, China’s situation became even more challenging. They lost the third set and were falling behind in the fourth set.
At this point, Newton had exhausted his options. He had played all the cards he had, and both Qiao Mingming and Fu Biyang had reached their limits. Other athletes were also in top form, so the only thing left was to use their “blood bars.”
They had lost for too many years, and been a weak team for too long. Just catching up with the strong teams was not easy. To win, they had to use their “blood bars.”
Qin Chunxiao charged towards a ball spiked by Dominique once again and was knocked down to the ground. The ball soared high, and while Qiao Mingming attempted a leap, he couldn’t save it.
Brazil’s offensive efficiency was incredibly high. They understood their strengths and had Dominique for powerful spikes. For China to avoid losing points, they had to defend. When Huang Mi was on the court and not defending, China was losing points rapidly, like bleeding.
They were dragged into a situation where they exchanged blows and blood with Brazil, but it was clear that the other side’s knives were sharper. Newton called for a timeout at this critical moment.
“The essence of winning a game is either being better at defense than the opponent, being better at offense than the opponent, or being equally matched in offense and defense but having more resilience than them. We can reach the same level as them, and I believe in your determination.”
As he spoke, he made some changes to the lineup.
Attackers: Qiao Mingming, Tong Shulan, Yuzi Yuzi, and Li Ling.
Setter: Li Ling.
Libero: Qin Chunxiao.
Gao Depi was on standby off the court, ready to switch positions with Qin Chunxiao during rotations.
Newton had introduced a blood-pumping, aggressive lineup. Except for Qin Chunxiao, who played as the libero, everyone else on the court was capable of offense, including Li Ling.
“Tomorrow, we have to face Italy. But you all know that your chances of winning against Italy are similar to your chances against Brazil. Moreover, everyone has expended so much energy today. If we can’t win now, we will definitely lose tomorrow, and we’ll be stuck in the quarterfinals. You definitely won’t be satisfied with that result, will you?”
Their coach stood up. “So today, we must win. Mingming, you don’t need to defend anymore. Every player in this lineup is quite versatile. The players I’m going to send in next are also 3D players. You don’t have to exert any effort on defense, just focus on offense.”
“Got it? Others, it’s the same for you. Except for blocking, don’t worry about the other defensive aspects. Xiaozai, you hold the fort alone!”
Qiao Mingming extended his hand. “Let’s do this.”
Captain Mingming shouted, “Let’s go!”
“Let’s go!”
Wu Di commented, “Alright, we can see that China has changed its formation. Coach Newton has brought in an offensive powerhouse lineup. Almost every player on the court now has a history of leading their respective provincial teams to the top four or even winning in domestic competitions.”
Li Laiheng added, “Yes, before joining the national team, they were the offensive cores of their provincial teams. After entering the national team, due to our strong lineup of attackers, many players have undergone transformations and shifted their focus to different positions to find their new roles. The most typical example is Qin Chunxiao, who was the starting opposite attacker for Guangdong but plays as a libero for the national team.”
“This is an ultra-offensive formation.”
“Having watched international matches for so long, I’ve become accustomed to their disciplined teamwork. I almost forgot that these players have a history of being wild and aggressive in domestic competitions.”
“Now, the question is, since we’ve shifted to an offensive formation, doesn’t it leave me as the only libero in the back row?”
“Oh my, can I handle it?”
Can I handle it?
Before re-entering the game, Qin Chunxiao put on a red wristband and told himself, “I can handle it.”
The current score was 1:2, with Brazil already winning two sets. If they let Brazil take the fourth set, the game would be over, and China would lose 1:3. Given their current fatigue, there was no guarantee they could win against Italy tomorrow.
They couldn’t settle for just the quarterfinals. If they stopped now, who could guarantee that they would be able to participate in the next Olympics? Qin Chunxiao couldn’t.
“Some gold medals are not up for grabs. If we don’t win today, there won’t be a next time,” Tong Shulan told himself. He walked up to Qin Chunxiao and extended his wrist. “Let’s do this.”
Qin Chunxiao extended his wrist, wearing the red wristband, and bumped it against Tong Shulan’s.
Qiao Mingming walked to his position. “Don’t worry about fancy stuff; just set me up high, and I’ll smash it.”
Starting from the fourth set, the Chinese team returned to their fierce and aggressive style.
Li Ling continuously provided excellent passes that were well-disguised, opened up opportunities to avoid the block, and set the ball high for the attacking players. They bombarded Brazil’s positions relentlessly.
What made Brazil’s team wince was that these Chinese attackers all employed the technique of single-leg jump landings to gain an advantage in their attacks. It seemed they were willing to sacrifice their joints to ensure Brazil’s defeat.
What was even more painful for Brazil was that they had lost to Italy yesterday! The world’s number one setter, Mattia, had given them a tough time. If they lost this match today, they would also be eliminated in the quarterfinals. That’s why the Brazilian team was fighting so desperately today.
In the backcourt, Qin Chunxiao moved with the courage to carry the defensive load alone. He had long abandoned any thoughts of slowing down. His mind was all about acceleration. As long as he could catch up to the ball, who cared about the wear and tear on his joints?
As Lao Niu had said, China could match Brazil in terms of both offense and defense, as long as they were willing to pay the price.
Before Newton called for a timeout, the score in the fourth set was 13:16, with Brazil leading by 3 points. After the game resumed, China fought hard and managed to tie the score at 20:20.
Even Mars, who had thought Brazil had pushed this team into a corner just now, was stunned. Although China was indeed resilient, he admired their team spirit. However, the gap in strength couldn’t be bridged.
Now these young men had ignited their passion. Did they still want to turn the tide?
He said to Caique, “We can’t let them reverse the situation, Caique. Get ready; I’ll bring you in to serve at the right time.”
Even though he was getting older, Caique was still a top-notch serving expert and posed a significant threat to the Chinese team.
On the Chinese side, Qiao Mingming thumped his chest and exclaimed, “Let’s shatter Brazil’s dream of Tokyo today! The champions will be our Chinese team!”
The fourth set quickly reached a score of 23:24, with Brazil holding a set point. They only needed to win one more point to end the match.
Just one last point.
“I’m so nervous; if we lose this point, it’s all over.”
“Italy is very strong this year, and our chances of winning tomorrow are too low. If we don’t win this match, we won’t advance.”
“I used to only want to see the men’s volleyball team qualify for the Olympics, but now I really want to see them reach the top four, stand on the podium, or even become champions.”
“I know our foundation isn’t strong enough, and we are grassroots compared to the traditional powerhouses. We haven’t had an easy game since our youth team. But just knowing how hard they’ve come all this way, I don’t want to see them lose!”
“Grassroots? We are not grassroots. We are a volleyball powerhouse too. It’s just that in this cycle, the men’s team has gradually regained its past glory. We have teamwork, technique, and physical qualities that are not inferior to Europe and the United States. Why shouldn’t we win!”
Dominique spiked the ball, and it was a must-win point for him. Regardless of the height and power he had already reached his limits, but Qin Chunxiao appeared at the end of the ball’s path. He made a precise bump, sacrificing himself and diving to the ground as the ball’s momentum carried it in a comfortable arc.
“Er Leng!”
Li Ling jumped up, both hands raised, and pushed the ball to the right.
24:24, China turned the tables on Brazil’s set point!
Wu Di commented, “Li Ling scores with a second hit!”
Li Laiheng added, “Beautiful. Li Ling is undoubtedly the best second setter for quick attacks in China right now.”
24:25, Brazil had another set point.
This time it was Joshua’s attack, and he was good at hitting diagonal shots. But this time, he chose to hit out of bounds. The experienced player managed to hit the ball on Qiao Mingming’s fingertips, sending it towards the spectator stands.
Li Ling dove for it, stumbled, and fell to the ground. He reached out and pushed the ball backward, preventing it from hitting the ground. However, the ball was flying towards the spectators.
A figure dashed by, and Qin Chunxiao sprinted on the court. This outstanding libero maintained astonishing composure at this crucial moment. He watched the ball and thought, “This is the second hit. I need to bump the ball into the perfect position for an attacker to spike it. But Brazil’s block is tight. The only one who might be able to spike through the gap is…”
“Squid!”
He shouted his teammate’s name and pushed the ball upward with both hands, his knee hitting the block. He lost his balance and tumbled into the spectator stands, and it seemed like he might have bumped his neck.
It hurt. After such a fall during a sprint, Qin Chunxiao had tears in his eyes. But he couldn’t afford to cry. He stood up, crossed the barrier, and ran back onto the court.
“Saved! Saved!”
“He saved it!”
“The ball hasn’t touched the ground yet!”
“Twin Stars, ahhhh!”
Squid stood at position five, raised both hands backward, and used his leg power to jump to an unprecedented height. The ball drew a large arc through his hands in the air and precisely landed on Brazil’s baseline.
In-bounds! 25:25, China once again leveled the score.
Chinese fans who witnessed this scene felt like their hearts were about to fail. Once again, the Chinese team teetered on the edge of defeat and then fought their way back.
Next, the Chinese team managed to lead with a score of 26:25, but Brazil, spurred on by their entire team going all out, turned it around to 26:26. With Caique’s serve, Brazil once again took the lead at 26:27.
This was Brazil’s third set point, and this time, Brazil’s opposite hitter Mason and setter Caique executed a quick attack.
At this point, some fans began to clutch their chests anxiously. Was China about to lose again?
Qin Chunxiao was still sprinting across the court, his eyes fixed on the yellow and blue volleyball. Audiences saw a young man wearing a yellow jersey with a blue headband, a green patch on one side and bandages on the other, looking miserable and disheveled, but he was running so fast.
In the end, he dived, executing a beautiful fish dive, and sent the ball into Li Ling’s hands.
Li Ling pushed the ball forward smoothly, sending it over Brazil’s block, and Qiao Mingming spiked it once again.
27:27.
For the third time, the Chinese team turned the tables. It seemed that they remained composed even in dire situations, still determined to win.
Finally, You Ziyu rotated to position one.
He cradled the ball, raised it with a powerful punch high into the air. The ball, spinning rapidly, rose almost to the ceiling before descending rapidly, slamming onto the floor on Brazil’s side.
28:27.
With You Ziyu serving again, the ball was received by Billy, and Brazil began to organize a counterattack, determined to defeat China in the fourth set.
Billy’s serve was high, suitable for either a pass or a spike. Eddie made a jump, preparing to spike it, but at that moment, a pair of arms appeared in front of him.
Those were Tong Shulan’s arms, acting like a wall in front of him. Eddie’s shoulders twisted flexibly in mid-air, changing the direction of the ball in the process. He aimed to spike it over Tong Shulan’s right hand. He had observed this player carefully; he was left-handed, and even if he could spike with his right hand, he couldn’t possibly use his right…
However, at that very moment, Tong Shulan unexpectedly switched to a right-handed block. His palm precisely blocked the volleyball, and he flipped it onto Brazil’s side. This time, Billy couldn’t make the save.
Li Laiheng exclaimed, “Tong Shulan scores with a block!”
“Tong Shulan’s solo block against Eddie, I can praise him for a lifetime for this block!”
“What a block! Come on!”
The ball hit the ground, making it 29:27, and China secured the fourth set.
“Excellent!” Newton clenched his fists and roared.
Chang Xiaolei jumped with excitement. “It’s 2:2! It’s 2:2!”
China had completely tied the score with Brazil, and now they were back on equal footing, starting the final leg of the race.
In the fifth set, the players stretched their joints, applied ice packs, replenished their fluids, and returned to the court.
The Brazilian team watched this battered Chinese team, with their sweaty hair, flushed faces, disheveled clothing, and numerous bandages and patches. They knew that in their opponents’ eyes, they probably looked just as disheveled.
It seemed that since their first encounter, the Chinese team had never won in style. The last time they defeated the Brazilian team, it was the same—a bunch of desperados. Yet, they could still win, like a pack of wolves in the jungle, unstoppable even by harsh winds and snowstorms, tearing apart their prey.
In the past, Brazil had only been in such a tough situation against teams like Italy and Russia. Now, China was another formidable opponent.
In the fifth set, the Chinese team took the lead with 14 points. This was the first time they had a set point, and Brazil was prepared to fight them to the end for this last point.
But they didn’t anticipate one thing: Qin Chunxiao’s big heart that allowed him to keep making crucial saves on the brink of defeat without making mistakes. Billy, on the other hand, might not be able to do the same.
Liu Yuelou jumped and smashed the ball towards Billy. Billy ran forward with his hands crossed, ready to receive the ball. However, the ball didn’t go as he hoped. It didn’t fly above Eddie’s head as he intended. Instead, it went over Eddie’s hands and landed on Brazil’s net, then fell on their side. Dominique had leaped to save it but fell short by 5 centimeters.
Due to those 5 centimeters, the game ended.
Qin Chunxiao crouched on the ground, taking deep breaths. His vision was blurred, but as he watched the ball land, a satisfied smile crossed his face.
They had won.
In the round-robin stage of the quarterfinals, the Chinese team secured two victories, which meant they had clinched a spot in the semifinals and secured their ticket to the next round.
“I can’t believe it. Did we just block Brazil out of the quarterfinals?”
“The top contenders are eliminated in the quarterfinals? And it was our Chinese team that blocked them?”
“Wait a minute, did we just shatter the world’s number one team’s Olympic champion dream?”
Did they really win?
Everything felt like a dream.
The Chinese team, however, remained calm. After celebrating, they sought the team doctor and went through their post-match routine. When interviewed by sports reporters after the game, a sports reporter asked, “Congratulations on reaching the semifinals. Qiao, do you feel more relaxed now? Are you planning to rest tomorrow?”
Anyway, we’ve already made it to the semifinals, so whether we win or lose against Italy tomorrow doesn’t matter. Our key players can take a good rest.
That was what the reporter meant. By asking this question, he was also considering the possibility that Newton might arrange things this way. He was giving the audience a heads-up in advance, so that public opinion wouldn’t go haywire.
Qiao Mingming wiped his sweat and said, “Huh? We won’t lose again. We will win every game from now on.”
Qin Chunxiao added, “That’s right, we’ll give it our all tomorrow and aim to beat Italy.”
The reporter seemed surprised, “Oh?”
