Liang
Yan (CHN) |
| Like her teammate Zhang
Rongfang, this Chinese player was always laughing and enjoying her way
through matches. Not to take away from the seriousness and dedication of
her game, because whenever her team needed a sideout Liang Yan was done
giggling and ready to play. She wasn't a big pounder like Lang
Ping, nor did she get the same amount of sets that Zhang
Rongfang did, but what Liang Yan did best was provide her team with a
big presence in the middle. She was a great blocker, one of the best of
her time in fact, and her quick middle attacks were always unexpected
and lightning fast. Both of the setters of her time, Sun Jinfang and Yang
Xilan, could set the "perpendicular shoot" to
the middle, and quickly it became a Chinese trademark thanks to the
quick right arm of Liang Yan.
In the '82 World Championship final, Liang Yan starred to provide China with key blocks over the inexperienced host team Peru. Though most of the spectacle was provided by all-time great Lang Ping, the two players from Szechuan, Liang Yan and ZhangRongfang, brought the fun in earning their first world title. A friend once told me that their happy disposition was characteristic of people from that region of China. |
 One of the best blockers of her time, and certainly one of the best middle hitters, Liang Yan was both calm and outgoing. |
 Always smiling, Liang Yan brought the happiness to China's golden age. They say it's her origin that makes her such a joyful person. (Doesn't she bare a slight resemblance to Li Yan?)
|
If indeed that is
true, then it would be wise for the Chinese National Team to always
include someone from Szechuan to keep the team in a relaxed and
stress-free mood! The chemistry that these two players added to the rest
of the team was amazing. And from the '82 Championship to their second
consecutive title in '86, Liang Yan just got better at celebrating her
own plays and the team's success. In the final against Cuba, she tooled
the tall Caribbean block very often, making them look as if they weren't
even trying. Liang Yan wasn't as tall as the Cubans, but she certainly
knew how to put the ball down on their court. And even though Zhang
Rongfang didn't play in these world championships, she
still provided some comic relief as co-coach. Both she and Lang Ping
gave their teammates directions in a very calm and even playful way, and
in the end, this very friendly team atmosphere won them the title. As
for Liang Yan, it was always a pleasure to watch her play, not only
because she was such a solid player, but because she really enjoyed
putting her hard earned skills to work. |
