My favorite FIVB volleyball photos of China beach volleyball players Jia Tian and Jie Wang at the FIVB SWATCH Womens’ Beach Volleyball Berlin Open

(fivb photo by Mauricio kaye)

Tian and Wang The Chinese pair is the last team to defeat May-Treanor and Walsh on the FIVB tour with a 21-19 and 21-19 semi-final win last year at the Norwegian Grand Slam in Stavanger.

Stretching for the Mikasa volleyball is women's beach volleyball player from China Jia Tian

Jie Wang of China with in a Mikasa volleyball serve reception in Berlin.

Saturday's second semi-final match pits eighth-seeded Jen Boss and April Ross of the United States against seventh-seeded Jia Tian and Jie Wang of China as the two teams meet for the third-time on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour.

Jie Wang (right) goes for the Mikasa volleyball as Chinese partner Jia Tian..

A Mikasa volleyball reception for Jie Wang (kneeling) as Chinese partner..

Jia Tian, China women's beach volleyball player

Resting in the smart Grand Slam centre court sand at the SWATCH FIVB World Tour event is Jia Tian of China

"Your volleyball season is about to start and I know you want to learn the secrets of how the pros play like they do.

Strengthen and improve your volleyball skills while playing for your high school and club team, now!

Learn early, what indoor and beach volleyball Olympians and professionals know about:

1. The importance of gaining muscle strength for injury prevention, gaining speed and increasing your vertical jump while training for volleyball,

2. Volleyball nutrition and

3. Mental conditioning and gaining confidence in yourself and your game, on and off the court."

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April Chapple is a columnist for USA Volleyball, the American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaching Volleyball magazine, a contributor to Active,.com/volleyball, and has authored numerous playing and coaching volleyball articles. Look for her upcoming ebook "How to Stop Serving Like a Wimp". She can be reached at april@volleyballvoices.com.