The 1st Quarterly Volleyball Tournament in 2026
April 24, 2026 — The Energy College volleyball court buzzed with energy and freidnly rivalry as our research center hosted its 1st quarterly volleyball tournament. Professors Chen Ping, He Teng, Guo Jianping, and Cao Hujun join students and staffs for an afternoon of spirited competition and teamwork.
Three teams: Team He, Team Guo, and Team Cao, faced off in a single round-robin battle. Before the first serve, players warmed up with stretches, passes, and laughter, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown.
Round 1: Team Guo vs. Team Cao
In a nail-biting opener, every set was decided by three points or fewer: 17-15, 12-15, 13-15. Team Cao edged out Team Guo 2-1, kicking off the tournament with high drama and higher stakes.
Round 2: Team Guo vs. Team He
Team Guo came back sharper and more synchronized, transitioning seamlessly between offense and defense. But Team He fought back with quick moves and powerful spikes. Both sets followed a tight script: 15-13, 15-13—with Team Guo's steady teamwork sealing a clean 2-0 victory.
Round 3: Team Cao vs. Team He — The Title Decider
The first set was a tug-of-war, locked at 16-16 before Team Cao pulled ahead 18-16. Then came a stunning turnaround: Team He exploded in the second set, their offense roaring to life in a 15-5 rout. But Team Cao regrouped in the decisive third set, controlling the tempo and closing it out 15-8 for a 2-1 win and the championship.
With the round-robin phase complete, Team Cao claimed the championship with two wins. Team Guo secured 1st runner up with one win and one loss, while Team He finished thrid.
After the medals were decided, staffs and students set aside the scorecards for a friendly match. Laughter echoed across the court as the competitive tension melted into warm camaraderie, a perfect ending to a thrilling afternoon.
Three matches. Countless hard-earned points. But beyond the scores, the real win was the teamwork, trust, and spirit on display, qualities that define DNL1901 every day, whether on the court or in the lab. May we all carry this energy forward—together, side by side. (Text: Lizhou Xu, Khai Chen Tan; Image: Lizhou Xu)
