“I think we’ll do better.”
The Dodram 2023-24 V-League Men’s Media Day was held on November 11 at Hotel Rivera Cheongdam in Seoul. Head coaches, representatives, foreign players, and Asian quota players from seven clubs were in attendance.
There is a new twist for the upcoming season. For the first time ever, an Asian Quarter will be introduced. 토토 The Korean Volleyball Organization (KOVO) has introduced the Asian quota system to strengthen international competitiveness.
The tryouts were held in late April on Jeju Island. Samsung Fire selected Mongolian apogee spiker Eddie, OK Financial Group selected Mongolian middle blocker Bayarsaihan, Korean Air selected Filipino outside hitter Mark Espejo, Hyundai Capital selected Taiwanese middle blocker Tsai Fei-chang, KEPCO selected Japanese libero Ryohei Iga, Woori Card selected Japanese middle blocker Issei Otake, and KB Insurance selected Taiwanese outside hitter Liu Hong-min.
At the media day, each team’s head coach was asked, “Other than your team’s Asian quota, who is the other team’s coveted Asian quota? With the exception of Kwon Young-min of KEPCO and Choi Tae-woong of Hyundai Capital, all five coaches named the same player. KEPCO libero Ryohei.
Ryohei has been playing for Panasonic in the Japanese League, where she has been recognized for her reliable reception and digs, and for always being a loud presence on the court. She was also a presence in the off-season scrimmages. Coach Kwon Young-min and the players have high hopes for Ryohei. He is expected to bring stability to the receiving game, which has been one of the team’s weaknesses.
“I’m sure you’ve seen his skills in practice. I am confident that he will do better,” Kwon said.
“Every team is different,” Ryohei said. I think I need to keep gaining experience as I play,” he said.
In addition, KEPCO chose Samsung Fire’s Eddie and Hyundai Capital chose OK Financial Group’s Bayarsaihan.
Meanwhile, the V-League will begin its six-month campaign with the official opening game between Korean Air and Hyundai Capital on April 14.