Jiangsu’s women’s volleyball team clinched the China Women’s Volleyball League title in a thrilling comeback victory over Shanghai, ending an eight-year championship drought on Tuesday night.
In front of an electrified home crowd, Jiangsu fought back from a set down to secure a 3-1 win, completing a 2-0 series sweep in the finals. The victory marks their first league title since 2015, showcasing the team’s resilience and tenacity.
Despite Jiangsu’s dominant 3-0 away win in the opening match on Saturday, Shanghai stormed into the second match with fierce determination. Leveraging a strong blocking strategy, Shanghai took the first set 25-17, jumping to a commanding 19-11 lead early on.
Undeterred, Jiangsu regrouped in the second set, intensifying their defense to counter Shanghai’s attacks. A critical 6-0 run shifted the momentum, allowing Jiangsu to level the match with a 25-21 set win.
The pivotal third set was a nail-biter, with both teams trading points up to 22-22. Jiangsu’s dynamic trio—Wu Mengjie, Gong Xiangyu, and Zhang Changning—proved unstoppable, securing the set 25-22.
Facing a 22-16 deficit in the fourth set, Jiangsu mounted an extraordinary comeback. Capitalizing on Shanghai’s spiking errors, they orchestrated an 8-0 run. Wu Mengjie’s powerful crosscourt spike sealed the championship, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Wu, the 22-year-old outside hitter, was a standout performer throughout the finals. After scoring 18 points in the first match, she added another 17 in the clincher, earning her the Most Valuable Player award.
“I’m thrilled to win this match and the MVP title,” Wu said with a smile. “The early stages of the league were challenging for me, but I’ve grown both mentally and technically. This victory has made my goals for volleyball even clearer.”
Jiangsu’s triumph not only ends their title drought but also symbolizes a new era for the team. Fans across the Chinese mainland are celebrating the victory, hopeful for more success in the seasons to come.
