The 2025–2026 Chinese UniversityVolleyball League (Elite Division) Round of 24 has concluded with abreakthrough for the South China University of Technology (SCUT) men’svolleyball team. Rising to the occasion through rounds of fierce competition,the team secured third place — the best finish in the program’s history in thistournament.

Group photo of the school volleyball team

Thetournament brought together the nation’s top university volleyball teams. Infull preparation for the national finals, the SCUT men’s team launched asystematic training camp in December 2025 after placing fifth in the SouthernDivision and winning the 15th Guangdong Provincial University Volleyball Leaguechampionship. The coaching staff crafted a science-based training plan andfine-tuned technical and tactical details. Meanwhile, all players trained hardwith unity of purpose, steadily improving their fundamentals and teamwork. Theymet the tournament challenges with great enthusiasm and high morale.

On the courtduring the Round of 24, SCUT displayed overwhelming momentum and delivered aseries of impressive performances. In their group-stage opener, they faced theNorthern Division champion, China University of Petroleum (East China). After athrilling five-set seesaw battle, the team kept their composure under pressureand edged out a 3-2 victory to get off to a flying start. Star player Li Xiangcontributed 36 points in the match, proving to be the difference-maker. Ridingthat high, SCUT went on to defeat Shenyang Sport University, Jilin University,Chongqing Technology and Business University, and Hunan Normal University,advancing to the round of 16 with a flawless 5-0 record. In the knockout stage,they continued their red-hot form, sweeping Tianjin Sport University instraight sets to storm into the national quarterfinals.

Dean Fan Lianxiang and Team Leader Gou Hailin gave apre-match pep talk

In thequarterfinals, the team faced a formidable northern rival, North University ofChina. The players’ composure wavered early, and they fell into a passiveposition. At the crucial moment, head coach Zheng Guangyuan made timelytactical adjustments. The team quickly regained their rhythm and, withtenacity, stormed back to win three straight sets, completing a dramaticcomeback to book their place in the national semifinals.

In thesemifinals, they took on Nanchang University, a traditional southernpowerhouse. The opponent had just eliminated the defending champions, SunYat-sen University, and entered the match with soaring momentum. From theopening whistle, the contest was intense, with every point fiercely fought. Theyoung SCUT players gave it their all, battling tenaciously to the finalwhistle, but ultimately suffered a narrow, heartbreaking loss. In thethird-place match, after an overnight review and mental reset, the team quicklymoved past the defeat. They adjusted their mindset and tactics, displayed theirbest form, and excelled on both offense and defense, cruising to a 3-0 victoryover Fudan University to claim the bronze medal.

Throughoutthis national tournament campaign, the SCUT men’s volleyball team foughtcourageously, pushed beyond their limits, and rewrote the program’s historywith their sweat. They fully embodied the positive, enterprising spirit ofSouth China University of Technology students—a vivid testament to theuniversity’s commitment to fostering character through sports and advancingcampus athletic development.

Appendix: Team Profile

Head coach Zheng Guangyuan joinedSCUT in 2024 after earning his master's degree from Shanghai University ofSport. A former professional player with 15 years of experience and anational-level elite athlete, he was a key opposite hitter for the GuangdongMen’s Volleyball Team and was recognized as an Outstanding Communist PartyMember by the Basketball & Volleyball Branch of the Ersha Sports TrainingCenter. Zheng has been called up to the Chinese National Men’s Volleyball Teamtwice. His major honors include sixth place at the 2019 Asian Men’s VolleyballChampionship, first place at the 2019 National Sports Training CompetitionAlliance Volleyball League, third place at the National Men’s Volleyball Championship,and fourth place in the men’s volleyball event at the 13th National Games ofChina.

All membersof the men’s volleyball team (Elite Division) are current students of theSchool of Physical Education, balancing their academic studies with regular training.

Photo Credit: Tournament Organizing Committee

Written by: University Volleyball Team 

First Review: Zheng Guangyuan, Zhang Junying

Second Review: Gou Hailin