Who are the familiar faces and who are the outsiders in the women’s division who are challenging the V-League after a long time?
The 2023 Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) women’s foreign player tryout will be held in Istanbul, Turkey on the 11th. Several V-Leagues, including six people who were active in the 2022-2023 season, again challenged the men’s outsiders introduced earlier, but in contrast, a small number of women applied.
Among the players who were active in the 2022-2023 season, IBK Industrial Bank Dali Santana, Heungkuk Life Insurance Yelena Mrazenovic, Korea Expressway Corporation Catherine Bell, and GS Caltex’s Mom Basoko Letizia reapplied.
Yelena has also been playing in the V-League for two seasons from KGC Ginseng Corporation to Heungkuk Life Insurance. Last season, she was in charge of one-two punches with Kim Yeon-kyung, leading her to first place in the regular season and runner-up in the championship match. Depending on the game situation, it is considered regretful that there are emotional ups and downs, but his height and power are not inferior to other players. Even if she is not selected by Heungkuk Life Insurance, Yelena is a sufficient resource that other clubs covet.
If MoMA is not selected by GS Caltex, there is a high possibility that another club will choose to accompany her. First of all, while living in the V-League for two seasons, his adaptability was verified, and it was sufficiently confirmed that he attacked low heights with high elasticity and power.
IBK Industrial Bank Santana came to the V-League as a substitute foreign player for two consecutive seasons. In the 2021-2022 season, when he debuted, he was somewhat disappointed because his weight management was insufficient, but he showed a quick adaptation as the season went on.
Last season, he won the BEST7 outside hitter category while ranking 6th in scoring (606 points), 6th in attack (38.35% success rate), and 8th in defense. However, until now, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea has selected Thai national setter Phonpun Gerpard as the Asia quota after Kim Hee-jin had to go through rehabilitation due to a knee injury. Rather than renewing the contract with Santana, the weight is more focused on selecting a new Apposite Spiker player.
In addition, Catbell, who led Korea Expressway Corporation to its second championship, also challenged. He created a bright atmosphere by conveying his unique positive energy to his teammates, and made the most proud career of his V-League life by winning the MVP of the championship.
Meanwhile, Katarina, who worked for Korea Expressway Corporation prior to Catbell, and Yasmin, who left with a herniated disc during the season, also submitted applications. In particular, Yasmin’s active performance at Hyundai E&C while not having a back injury is proven by the team’s performance. He played a key role in posting 15 consecutive wins in two consecutive seasons, but injuries are a variable.
Helena Russo, who Yasmin played before entering Hyundai E&C, also challenged again. At the time of the 2020-2021 season, Hyundai E&C had a difficult season, ranking at the bottom, but Russo was ranked 5th in scoring, 5th in attack, and 9th in dig, going back and forth between outside heater and apositive.
After leaving Hyundai E&C, France’s ASPTT Mulles, who played an active part in the French league and currently works hard, took 5th place in the CEV CUP in the 2022-2023 season.
Sheridan Atkinson,크크크벳 who was nominated by Korea Expressway Corporation for the 2019-2020 season and played until the KOVO Cup, challenges to enter the V-League in four years. At the time, his performance at the Cobo Cup received a passing grade, but his right knee medial collateral ligament rupture prevented him from appearing in the regular league. He has since passed through the American and French leagues, and is currently active in the Turkish League.