Zhao Ruirui [File photo]
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After leading the team to its first Olympic title in Athens after 20 years, the ever- smiling Chen was troubled by the team's injuries, resulting in a slump in form over the past few years.
The team conceded a string of losses to lowly ranked teams and finished in a remote fifth place in 2006 world championships before losing the Asian championships trophy the following year.
The team has just finished a behind-door training camp for the Beijing Olympics in August, and the six-game series, slated for February 24 to March 2 in six different cities in southeast China's Fujian province and east China's Zhejiang province, were the first formal occasion in which the Olympic champions demonstrated their prep work.
To shape up the possible Olympic squad, Chen fielded Zhao and Feng in the starting lineup in all matches thus far.
"Although Zhao did not play for a long time, I won't keep her on the bench as I want to test her and give more motivation to her by sending her onto the court," said Chen, who has been holding the helm of the team for seven years.
It looked more decisive for the Chinese team to have the 26-year-old Zhao back in squad.
The baby-faced girl was injured in a match prior to the 2004 Olympic Games.
Her injury became even worse in her first Olympic match against the United States, and Zhao was then sidelined from the rest of the matches in Athens, where the Chinese women's volleyball team re-claimed the Olympic title after a 20-year wait.
"I have never imagined that I was able to play this well after four years' suspension," she said.
"I still need time to get to know my teammates and the way the team plays. After such a long time, I don't have to hurry, just feeling relaxed and getting used to playing on the court," Zhao added.
Zhao and Feng will both have to spend time getting to know the new faces on the team.
"Zhao played a good match, especially in smashing and blocking, "Chen said of his favorite after the game four of the friendly series, "but there are problems on teamwork. We recruited many new faces in the side and definitely they need time and competition to know them better and get involved in the team."
"I hope they can adjust to their best form as soon as possible. Both players are still the best in China. I am looking forward to seeing them play again at the Beijing Olympic Games."
Currently there are a total of 19 players in the Chinese side out of which only 12 can make the final roster for the Beijing Olympics.
