The current state of women’s volleyball in China is a long way below the dizzy heights scaled in Athens 2004 when the team brought back the Olympic gold medal. After the recent 3-0 straight sets loss to South Korea at the Women’s Volleyball World Championships in Japan, many are lamenting the current state of the women’s game in China. Xinhua News Agency reported that South Korea “outclassed” China in straight sets, saying that the defeat indicated China’s decline from its world superpower status of the last few years. The International Federation of Volleyball said that South Korea was on song, and “upset and shocked” traditional powerhouse China, hurting the pride of Chinese volleyball. But Yu Juemin, China’s head coach said his side is determined to defend its crown at the upcoming Asian Games.