The Chinese volleyball team celebrate World Cup victory on Sept. 6, 2015 in Japan. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

 
Once upon a time, the Chinese women's volleyball team has been a source of national pride.

As the Chinese team overcame host Japan to claim their emphatic fourth World Cup victory on Sunday, the first major title in 11 years after the Chinese team won at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, it feels like the team that all Chinese have been proud of is back.

Once a world superpower in women's volleyball, China were almost insurmountable between 1981 and 1986 during which the team won two world championships, two world cups and one Olympics. Against the backdrop of China's historic opening and reform, the Chinese took so much pride from their victories and were inspired by the "women's volleyball spirit", that represents hard working, unity and perseverance.

Ups and downs, however, followed in following years. The retirement of the golden generation who won at Athens even led to a period of crisis as the newcomers never felt comfortable taking up guns from their predecessors.

The inexperienced team finished a remote 10th in 2010 world championships, the worst result since 1974; then finished 5th at the 2012 London Games.

Jenny Lang Ping, known as "Iron Hammer" who led the Chinese to the 1981 and 1985 World Cup titles as a player, took over as head coach in 2013 and brought in fresh air using more young players boldly.

Lang, a world famous spiker while playing, also ushered in a competitive system in national team as no player can guarantee a regular place in the starting lineup.

Zhu Ting, Yuan Xinyue, Hui Ruoqi, Lin Li, Shen Jingsi and other young stars got more chances of training and playing for the national team, but all of them have to fight for the starting places.

Before going to Japan, starters Yang Fangxu and Hui Ruoqi were both sidelined by injuries, bringing shadow to the team's World Cup campaign, but on back of two years' buildup, Lang quickly found proper replacements and had the Japan job done perfectly.

History repeats itself. Former China coach Chen Zhonghe took charge at the team and won the World Cup title in 2003 before leading the team to Athens Games win in 2004.

Lang and her team now have a chance of repeating the feat in next year's Olympic Games as they already won a direct ticket to Rio.