A Volleyball Competition Made Her Life More Colourful

Have you ever enjoyed watching an exciting volleyball match? At Zhejiang University, an annual volleyball competition called the San Hao Cup is held every October at our campus volleyball court. This year, I had the chance to watch the event as part of the audience, and I was truly impressed by the energy and intensity of the games—especially since my friend, Tan Jie Yi, was one of the players. I took this opportunity to interview her about her volleyball journey.

(Selfie photo took with my friend)

How did you start your volleyball journey in ZJU?

I’ve had a strong interest in volleyball since primary school, but I wasn’t able to join any school team back then. It was something I regretted throughout both primary and secondary school. Fortunately, I eventually found my way back to pursuing my volleyball dream. Last year, as a freshman who had just arrived at Zhejiang University, I participated in the competition only as a referee. But this year, after a long period of preparation, I proudly joined my college’s volleyball team to compete for glory.

From a rookie who often ended up with bruises all over her arms to a confident, experienced player on the court, Jie Yi’s journey hasn’t been easy. When she first joined the team, she felt nervous and even a bit guilty, worried that she might not perform well. Fortunately, her team leader consistently organized training sessions to help everyone get familiar with their positions and strengthen team cohesion. These practices gradually helped Jie Yi regain her confidence, both during training and in actual competitions.

(A group photo of College of Communication and International Culture)

How’s your feeling after the competition?

“First things first—I’m really happy and excited that we finished the San Hao Cup in 7th place! It was my first time playing as a setter, and it turned out to be way more fun than I expected. It wasn’t easy, but it felt like a huge achievement. One of the proudest moments for me was blocking a spike from the opponent—it was such an honorable feeling. I know I’ll definitely miss those days of training together, strategizing before each match, and facing different teams. Every word of encouragement, both on and off the court, meant so much to me, and I truly appreciate every bit of it.

I want to give a big thank you to my teammates for helping me realize my volleyball dream. This competition was honestly amazing—made even better by being with the best teammates I could ask for. I’m so grateful for each of them. And even though we faced some challenges, I believe every setback is just paving the way for our next big moment. We’ll bounce back even stronger next year and aim for an even better result!”

(The trophy for the 7^th place.)

Through the chat we had, I could see the happiness in her eyes and her voice was on a higher pitch which resembles the emotion of happiness. I guess this is the special thing that sports can bring to every person which they could receive a big enjoyment in it.