FanNation

Scanning today's headlines, there are not one, but two stories about Lang Ping, better known by her English name "Jenny" by American volleyball fans - and by her nickname, the "Iron Hammer," by her legions of fans in China who watched her lead China to the 1984 women's volleyball Olympic gold medal. She's one of China's most revered athletes, and since 2005, the coach of the United States national women's volleyball team, which qualified to compete in the Beijing Olympics at the first available qualifying tournament in Japan last year. Volleyball is a huge women's university sport in the United States, but all of the best pro leagues are elsewhere - and, it seems, everywhere but in the U.S.: Brazil, Puerto Rico, Western Europe, Russia...all boast women's powerhouse teams that attract big crowds. Lang Ping taking the helm of the U.S. team going into the Beijing Olympics came with a bit of scrutiny - there are still some old-schoolers in China who think she's betraying her homeland - but then those same people tend to applaud all that China is doing to improve its medal chances, which of course includes hiring coaches from abroad with specific expertise in sports where China is traditionally weaker than its international rivals. In any case, enjoy these clips and get to know a little more about Lang Ping, sure to be one of the most watched faces at the Beijing Olympics.

The Lang and tall of it (China Daily)

'Iron Hammer' still pounding (People's Daily Online)

USA Volleyball: Wonen's national team page (USA Volleyball)