The U18 men's volleyball event of the 15th National Games kicked off on Nov 5 at the Guangzhou Gymnasium and Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province.

Thirteen youth teams from across China are competing, showcasing the vitality and talent of the new generation of Chinese volleyball players, all born in 2007 or later.

A bird's-eye view of a volleyball match at the Tianhe Sports Center. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

The event is divided into two groups: Group A includes teams from Guangdong, Fujian, Chongqing, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Henan, and Shanghai, while Group B consists of teams from Macao, Shanxi, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Shandong, and Heilongjiang.

The competition format features a round-robin group stage, followed by crossover matches, semifinals, and the final. The top four teams from each group will advance to the crossover stage, with the winners moving on to the semifinals. The much-anticipated championship match is scheduled for Nov 16 at the Tianhe Sports Center.

An intense volleyball showdown. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

The Tianhe Sports Center, originally built for the 6th National Games, is renowned for its multifunctional capabilities and historical significance, having hosted numerous prestigious events, such as the volleyball and basketball events for the 6th National Games, badminton competitions for the 9th National Games, as well as international events in badminton, basketball, boxing, and snooker.

It has been vitalized to host the table tennis finals and the U18 men's volleyball event for this year's National Games, underscoring its enduring legacy in China's sporting history.

A player leaps into the air and smashes the volleyball over the net. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]