Lai Xiang-chen has become the first Taiwanese woman to be signed to a professional volleyball team in Germany.
VfB Suhl LOTTO Thuringen yesterday announced Lai's signing on its Web site and Instagram, saying that it was pleased to add the 30-year-old as the team's libero to boost its defense.
"Lai brings international quality to the libero position," the team wrote. "With her training in Taiwan's competitive youth programs and several seasons in her home country's top league, Lai established herself as a key player in reception and defense."
Photo: Screen grab from VfB Suhl LOTTO Thuringen's Facebook page
VfB Suhl also praised Lai for playing for her national team at international tournaments such as the Asian Women's Volleyball Cup, the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship and the Asian Games.
VfB Suhl head coach Laszlo Hollosy said the team was pleased to welcome Lai, complimenting her technique, speed and skill in reception and defense.
"Xiang-chen impressed us not only with her game intelligence, but also with her professional attitude and presence on the court," Hollosy said. "We are convinced that she will play an important role in our defensive structure and be a key figure in the coming season."
Before Lai, the only other Taiwanese woman to play volleyball professionally in Europe was Yang Yi-chen who joined Italy's Lardini Filottrano as a setter in 2018.
Lai most recently played for China's Guangdong Shenzhen Glorious in the Chinese Volleyball Super League for two seasons between 2023 and this year.
Lai said she chose VfB Suhl because it would be a great environment for her to develop further as a player and as a person.
"I'm excited about the new challenges and look forward to being part of the team and giving my best in the coming season," she said on VfB Suhl's Web site.
From early on in her career she had wanted to play in Europe, Lai said in another statement. She got the opportunity to fulfill the dream after VfB Suhl came across her tournament tapes by chance, Lai said.
The opportunity to play in Germany is not only a career milestone, but also an opportunity to find new excitement and grow, she added.
Lai said that she would spend time in Taiwan preparing physically for the start of the new European season in October.
If called on by Taiwan, she would be proud to represent the nation at next year's Asian Games in Japan, Lai said, adding that donning the national uniform is always an honor.
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