Lai Hsiang-Cheng has made history by joining the Bundesliga team VfB Suhl LOTTO Thüringen, becoming the first female volleyball player from Chinese Taipei to pursue a professional career in Germany.

Lai Hsiang-Cheng, a libero from Chinese Taipei, has officially signed with the German Women’s Volleyball Bundesliga team VfB Suhl LOTTO Thüringen, making her the first female volleyball player from Chinese Taipei to pursue a career in Germany. This is particularly significant as it follows Yang Yi-Chen's experience in Italy in 2018, marking another step for Taiwanese female volleyball players in the European professional arena.

Lai Hsiang-Cheng has been a key player for the Chinese Taipei women's volleyball team.

VfB Suhl is a traditional powerhouse in German volleyball, having won the German Cup and consistently ranking among the top teams in the league. In the recently concluded 2024–25 season, they secured third place in the league. Notably, VfB Suhl is famous for its vibrant home atmosphere, where fans passionately cheer and support the team, earning a reputation as one of the most heartfelt and cohesive clubs in Germany, attracting many foreign players.

At 30 years old, Lai Hsiang-Cheng is one of the most representative liberos from Chinese Taipei in recent years, having represented her team in international competitions such as the Asian Cup, Asian Championships, and the Asian Games. Between 2023 and 2025, she played in the Chinese Women's Volleyball Super League for Shenzhen ZhongSai, taking on Asia's highest level of competition and earning recognition for her solid serve reception and defensive skills. In addition to being named the best libero in the Taiwan Corporate Volleyball League twice, she was also awarded "Best Libero" at the U23 Asian Championships, showcasing her exceptional determination and quick reflexes, making her a vital pillar in defense.

Regarding Lai Hsiang-Cheng's signing, the coaching staff at VfB Suhl expressed high expectations, stating, "Hsiang-Cheng's international experience and proactive defense are exactly the qualities we need. With her court vision, game intelligence, and reliable serve reception skills, she will play a crucial role in our defense. Her attitude and personality align well with the city of Suhl and our passionate fans." The team plans to position her as a key libero to enhance defensive stability and inject more energy into the squad.

Lai Hsiang-Cheng has officially joined the German team VfB Suhl.

Lai Hsiang-Cheng revealed that she had the desire to play in Europe during her time in the Chinese league, stating, "I've always wanted to try other leagues. It just so happened that a German team saw videos of my matches and reached out to me." She added that VfB Suhl has previously recruited players from various countries, including Japan, the USA, and Ukraine, "I feel they are quite open to foreign players, and I really like their overall style."

Lai Hsiang-Cheng admitted that choosing Europe is not only a career breakthrough but also a search for new challenges and growth opportunities: "The experience in the Chinese Super League is invaluable, but I want to challenge myself with different styles and hope to accumulate European experience. If I get the chance to play in more countries in the future, it will be easier to be accepted."

"I believe that turning 30 is a watershed moment, and this time I hope to experience a season that is uniquely mine." The team will kick off the season in early October, with their first match being in the CEV Volleyball Cup. Lai Hsiang-Cheng must prepare for the domestic league in Germany while also competing against clubs from various countries, with a demanding and intense schedule. She joked, "They hope I can maintain my physical condition during my time in Taiwan so that I can meet their fitness standards when I report in." As early as May, the team communicated with her through internal training groups and fitness coaches to outline the summer training plan, inviting her to track her physical data and participate in fitness assessments. She believes this professional arrangement will help her enter a more systematic preparation rhythm.

Although she has recently focused on her professional career, Lai Hsiang-Cheng has not forgotten her original intention of representing the Chinese Taipei women's volleyball team. She stated, "As a volleyball player, wearing the Chinese Taipei team jersey is always an honor." In recent years, the roster of the Chinese Taipei team has become increasingly youthful, and her last appearance in the team jersey was in 2023. With the upcoming Nagoya Asian Games in 2026, she expressed her determination without hesitation: "If I'm needed, I will certainly step up and give it my all!"