The top four teams in the 2024-2025 Chinese Women's Volleyball Super League are becoming increasingly clear. At the beginning of the season, it was uncertain which team would stand out as the competition among the teams was not as disparate as in other sports. However, as the matches progressed, especially during the second round of the A-level playoffs, the situation became clearer. The question of who is the favorite for the championship and who can emerge from the top four is about to be answered.
Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team's strong performance has made them the true favorites for the championship. On the other hand, Jiangsu Women's Volleyball Team, although possessing certain strength, lacks a super core player, making it difficult for them to challenge Tianjin.
Looking at the current standings, Jiangsu Zhongtian Steel has 5 points in Group C, ranking first in the group. Shanghai Bright Dairy and Fujian Anxi Tieguanyin have 4 points and 3 points respectively, while Shenzhen Zhongse Longhua has no chance with two consecutive losses and zero points.
Jiangsu Women's Volleyball Team's performance deserves recognition, especially after their recent reversal against Shanghai, securing two consecutive victories. Although Jiangsu's overall strength is relatively balanced, they lack a super player who can step up in critical moments, which is a significant regret for them.
Shanghai Team, once the leader, has seen a noticeable decline in strength since the departure of Xiao Caiwa. Their recent performance has been quite unstable. Although they have not completely fallen out of the top four, whether they can maintain their position will depend on the outcome of their match against Fujian.
Netizens commented on social media platforms: "Jiangsu Team at least managed to secure the top spot in their group, and after reversing Shanghai, their strength cannot be underestimated. However, the lack of top-tier players raises questions about whether they can sustain their momentum." This comment makes sense. If Jiangsu Team can tap into the potential of other players, they might be able to shake Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team a little, but judging from their current state, challenging Tianjin is indeed very difficult.
In Group D, Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team's performance is astonishing! They have 6 points and firmly occupy the top spot in the group, with an impeccable team performance. What do you say? They have an advantage! This advantage comes from their overall stability and execution in matches.
Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team not only gained experience at the Club World Cup but also performed exceptionally well upon returning to domestic competitions, with almost no opponents capable of shaking their dominant position.
In contrast, Liaoning Donggang Strawberry and Shandong Rizhao Steel's performances are somewhat concerning. Liaoning currently has 3 points and is close behind, with hope for advancing to the top four. Although their performance is not perfect, especially when facing Shandong's pursuit, the match results still hold uncertainties.
Shandong Team, although currently with only 2 points, could potentially turn the situation around if they were to explode.
Netizens commented: "This season, Tianjin Team seems to be exerting no effort, as if they already have the championship in their grasp. All that remains is to avoid any mishaps. If Liaoning can stabilize, they might be able to compete for the top four, but challenging Tianjin is simply too difficult!" This comment hits the nail on the head.
Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team's advantage this year truly lies in their attention to detail, giving the impression that they have prepared for everything. The efforts of other teams in the season seem like a transitional period for Tianjin.
Jiangsu Team faces the biggest challenge of lacking a player who can take on major responsibilities in critical moments. Zhang Changning and Gong Xiangyu, who were once core figures in the team, unfortunately, are not as good as before in terms of their current state. Zhang Changning can only sit on the bench, occasionally coming on to serve, indicating some issues with her form. Wu Mengjie's performance is stable, but it feels like she lacks the fighting spirit she had during the Paris Olympics. As for Gong Xiangyu, plagued by injuries, her state fluctuates, and she is unable to stand alone as she did before.
If Jiangsu Women's Volleyball Team wants to make a push for the top four or even compete for the championship, they clearly need someone to step up and take on the role of a true leader.
Netizens commented: "Jiangsu Team actually has potential. Players like Wu Mengjie and Zhang Changning are not novices, but their form is indeed hard to guarantee. It is hoped that they can adjust later and put some pressure on Tianjin." These words, though filled with hope, also reveal Jiangsu Team's current biggest bottleneck: the lack of a leading figure who can turn the tide in critical moments of the game, making it difficult for them to compete with strong teams like Tianjin.
On the other hand, Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team is really all about the word "stability." The entire team, whether in attack, defense, or mentality, is particularly mature, especially in terms of experience in major competitions, where they are unrivaled.
After the training at the Club World Cup, their state reached its peak, and their execution in matches is simply perfect. Most importantly, Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team does not seem to rely on individual players to fight alone but rather on the advantage of teamwork.
This allows them to display an overwhelming advantage in matches against other strong teams.
Netizens discussed: "This year, it seems that Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team has no opponents. The entire team is incredibly stable. Besides them, who else can remain so calm in such high-intensity matches?" This viewpoint is quite reasonable.
Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team's stability and teamwork are indeed strong points that cannot be ignored in this match.
Returning to the top four situation, it now appears that Jiangsu, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Liaoning have basically secured these four spots. The real favorites for the championship are still Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team, whose strength is indeed hard to overlook.
Jiangsu Women's Volleyball Team, although still having potential, may find it difficult to compete with Tianjin due to the lack of enough star players, unless a miracle happens.
The future focus of the event is clear. If there are no unexpected developments, Tianjin Women's Volleyball Team will stand firmly at the top of the championship race. While Jiangsu Women's Volleyball Team, even if they give their all, can only strive for a place among the top four.
The matchup between Shanghai Team and Fujian Team will determine the final ranking of the top four, and the promotion situation of Tianjin and Liaoning will also become a focal point for various media outlets.