The setter is the absolute core of a team. A good setter can pass the ball according to the characteristics of the attackers, and the quality of the pass is evident in the posture of the attacker after the attack. Some balls cause the attacker to fall to the ground after hitting, indicating a problem with the pass. This season, Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team truly demonstrated Yao Di's abilities. Before Yao Di's return, Meng Dou's passes led to continuous losses for the team, even risking relegation matches. However, after Yao Di's return, the team not only achieved consecutive victories but also secured the runner-up position in the Club World Cup. At 32 years old, Yao Di is truly one of China's top setters, and it's a pity that she was not selected for the Paris Olympics lineup.
In fact, Yao Di did not plan to play this season, as she had mentioned herself. However, due to the critical situation of Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team at the time, Yao Di had no choice but to step onto the court. The issue was not a lack of skill but a loss of confidence within the team. Yao Di proved her ability to help rebuild the team's confidence, despite only having a few days to gel with the main lineup. This is the hallmark of a great setter - always ready to perform. After the Club World Cup, Yao Di maintained her previous stance, insisting on retiring this year even though her condition remains good.
On January 2nd, the prestigious Tianjin University announced a significant piece of news: Yao Di, a world champion in women's volleyball, officially joined Tianjin University as a teacher. A few months prior, Diao Linyu, the setter most trusted by Cai Bin, also became a teacher at Nanjing Agricultural University. While both are teachers, the prestige differs significantly; Tianjin University is a 985 and 211 university, a dream institution for many college students. Yao Di said, "The spirit of women's volleyball has taught me 'courage' and 'responsibility,' and I will also convey the power and joy of sports from the 'big stage of Tianjin University'!"
It is reported that Yao Di will offer a course called "Volleyball" and guide the school's volleyball club. If she were to solely teach, Yao Di's job would be relatively easy. Prior to her, Lin Li, Hui Ruoqi, Xu Yunli, Wei Qiuyue, and others have also worked in universities, making higher education institutions the preferred retirement destination for women's volleyball world champions. Yao Di's joining Tianjin University leaves Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team somewhat helpless, as the team's setter issues remain unresolved. If Yao Di leaves, the team risks returning to its previous state. Whether to continue training Meng Dou or reserve a new setter are matters that need consideration. However, we still hope the team can start from scratch, put down the burden of being champions, and earnestly cultivate a setter with both ability and talent.
