China (CHN) vs. Italy (ITA) women - Final 1-2 #6621911

Zhuang has been huge for China since the start of their campaign

The captain of the Chinese national team at the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship, Yushan Zhuang led the Asians to the title in more than one way.

Besides contributing to the team’s success on the court with her leadership, the 20-year-old outside hitter also had a big role in the team’s victory with her spectacular performances during the tournament held in Leon and Aguascalientes, Mexico, which earned her the event’s Most Valuable Player award.

The tournament matches are available on the Volleyball World YouTube channel.

A player of Chinese club Fujian Anxi Tiekuanyin, Zhuang was selected for the tournament’s Dream Team, joining a pair of teammates, three players from runners-up Italy and one from third-placed Brazil.

“The gold medal match was very difficult, I felt that both teams were at the same level, but maybe we were a little bit better on the tie-breaker,” Zhuang commented. “I’m so happy and excited. I was surprised to win the MVP award. It’s really encouraging to be selected as the best player in the tournament and it will give me more motivation to keep pushing.”

China (CHN) vs. Serbia (SRB) women - Pool E / 1st -8th #6579827

Zhuang was very involved in the Chinese success in Mexico

Women’s U21 World Championship Dream Team

Most Valuable Player: Yushan Zhuang (China)
Best Setter: Valentina Bartolucci (Italy)
Best Opposite: Anna Adelusi (Italy)
Best Outside Hitters: Yushan Zhuang (China) and Stella Nervini (Italy)
Best Middle Blockers: Ziyue Wan (China) and Luzia Nezzo (Brazil)
Best Libero: Xingchen Zhu (China)

Zhuang tied Serbia’s Una Vajagic as the tournament’s top scorer, ending her participation in U21 World Championship with 137 points (126 kills, six blocks and five aces). She was China’s top scorer in six of the team’s eight matches in the tournament and scored 20 or more points on three occasions, saving her best performance for the most critical moment of the event, helping the Chinese top Italy in the gold medal match with an impressive 23 points.

Quick links:
FIVB Volleyball Women's U21 World Championship
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