BEIJING - The rejuvenated China women's volleyball team is ready to embrace upcoming challenges and difficulties, said newly-appointed head coach Zhao Yong at an open training session on Monday.

"This team's legacy wasn't forged by trophies alone, but through fires of adversity," said Zhao, who took the helm early this month. "We are expected to meet more challenges and difficulties, but we believe we will achieve what we want to by hard work on a daily basis."

China's women's team, which has a total of ten titles at Olympics, World Cups and World Championships, had a disappointing ninth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics before placing fifth in Paris last year.

In its quest for a medal at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, the squad has undergone a major overhaul. Only a few veterans, including 2019 World Cup winners Gong Xiangyu, Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan and Wang Mengjie, have stayed in the roster, which features several members of title-winning teams from the U17 World Championships and U18 Asian Championships last year.

"We have picked the most talented young players in every position, and we need their energy and sharpness in our preparation for the Los Angeles Games," added Zhao, who guided China to the U17 World Championship title in 2024. "The national team is a great stage for the young players and every player has the chance to shine."

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Yang Hao, a member of the team which claimed Olympic gold in Athens in 2004, rejoins the team as assistant coach, 17 years after her retirement as a player.

"It has been such a long time. I have mixed emotions returning to where I had fought hard," said Yang, who had been working with a college team before returning to the national team fold. "I never thought about it. But I was determined to try my utmost to help the team as soon as I knew I was needed here."

Joining the team for the first time, Zhao echoed the pride Yang had felt and cherished over the years.

"I guess the position of head coach is the pursuit and objective of almost all volleyball coaches working with women's teams. It is a great honor to take this position and it represents a lot of responsibilities," said Zhao. "My coaching experience, especially the experience with the U17 national team, will help me in my new position. I will try to improve the team as best as I can."

China's women will start their Volleyball Nations League campaign early in June, followed by the World Championships in Thailand from Aug 22 to Sept 7.

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"We do not think much about the results," said Yang. "We need to observe the players, give the players chances to play, find and solve problems, just like every revamped team does. For sure this team will get better and better."