China’s women’s volleyball team had a lot to celebrate on Sunday night after they picked up the Best Team prize at the 2011 CCTV Sports Personality Awards in Beijing.

The annual CCTV Sports Awards, recognized as the Chinese version of the Laureus World Sports Awards, is seen as one of the top events on the the Chinese sporting calendar. All 11 awards are decided by votes cast by 120 sports specialists.

The Chinese women’s team was the only side to win outstanding merit.

Following their lacklustre performance at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championships 2010 and a disappointing bottom eighth finish during the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2011 Finals in front of their home fans in Macau, the Chinese women's volleyball team, led by new coach Yu Juemin, bounced back to win the Asian Championship and bronze at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup 2011 in Japan, booking their place at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“In 2011, the Chinese women’s volleyball team experienced ups and downs,” Yu Juemin said at the awarding ceremony. “But we have not lost our confidence, which spurred us to double our efforts and bounce back at the Asian Championship and the World Cup.

“This award is a great encouragement for the women’s volleyball team and we will make an even harder effort to prepare for the Olympic Games so as to repay your support.”