A cold wind is announcing winter. The hot 2022 college volleyball season has already ended. The players who have returned to school are sweating hard as they prepare for the next season. What about the new spring that coaches and players hope for in the winter? <The Spike> visited them, who still radiate passion on the court at the training ground.
Sungkyunkwan
University Sungkyunkwan University experienced many changes last season. With new head coach Shin Dong-yeon coaching Sungkyunkwan University, they achieved two runner-up finishes. How did coach Shin view Sungkyunkwan University in the first year of his appointment? “I was very disappointed that I didn’t win the championship last season. We only finished runner-up twice, but I think the player base was good. However, Inha University did better than us. There are many players with good basic skills and strong serve,” he recalled last season. He continued, “We are a good team. On the other hand, there are many serving crimes and there are regrettable parts in serving receiving. That’s why I’m focusing on training for that part.”
What kind of team does Sungkyunkwan University coach Shin Dong-yeon want to make?
“It would be nice to have a team that can control the dynamics well. I still tend to try to be strong. It’s important to be flashy and cool, but I want to become a team that handles the ball well, sometimes strong and weak. If that part goes well, I think all players’ eyes will widen and they will become better players.”
Unlike the past, when they were only focused on training and games, today’s students and players do not have much time. Director Shin said, “As a student, I also took necessary lectures, so the amount of training is not too much. So whether it’s an hour or two, I want you to focus on that training session. You will be able to achieve good results only if you are immersed in training time,” he asked the players to concentrate on the process.
Sungkyunkwan University left for Japan on December 16, 2022. It is a de facto overseas field training. Through exchanges with Japanese universities, we want to strengthen our basic skills and maintain a sense of real combat on the court. Director Shin Dong-yeon, who emphasizes communication on the court along with various experiences, said, “Screaming and running around on the court is not communication. If the libero or setter talks a lot on the court and leads the conversation, I think communication will be better and we will become a stronger team.”
The coach especially showed a lot of affection for the main setter and captain Kim Tae-won. “It seems that (Kim) Tae-won was a little intimidated while competing with (Park) Hyun-bin last season. He is currently working hard on his personal training and weight training himself. I hope you can show all your hard work on the court this season. He thinks that if he does his best, he will lead to good results,” he said. “Taewon has a good volleyball sense. However, he still looks insecure on the court. When he makes a mistake, he blames himself. Of course, crimes can happen, so I hope you can be confident. When the setter is intimidated, the team atmosphere tends to drop. I hope he leads the team as a captain and first member.” Director Shin Dong-yeon said, “(Kim) Tae-won seems to be communicating well. I heard that he is not pushy and listens well to his juniors. I am grateful for that part,” he concluded the interview.
Sungkyunkwan University, whose main setter has changed, is preparing for a stronger appearance ahead of the new season.
Coach Shin Dong-yeon’s words to Kim Tae-won:
“I think he serves well and plays set well. As it is the final season (at college), he hopes to be the main character on the court. I hope he can show a different and better side of himself than he did in the lower grades.”
Kim Tae-won (S, 4th grade)
Q. This is the first interview with <The Spike>.
I didn’t know I was going to be interviewed. I think a good opportunity came thanks to the help from people around me. I am so happy to be able to leave good memories in my life!
Q. What has changed the most as a senior?
My mindset changed the most during training. As a captain, I am trying to become a person who can lead the team. It seems that if you have leadership, you will have it (laughs). Since I work hard first, I think my classmates and juniors follow suit. Could that have made you more dedicated? And I think the pass form has also changed a lot. I write in a diary every day what my passing was like during training, what points were pointed out, and what needs to be fixed. It was nice to write it before going to bed so that I could look back on the day and see at a glance what areas were improving. Thanks to that, I am taking my training seriously more than anyone else!
Q. If you boast about your strengths.
I think I have a good relationship with people. He has a lot of close friends and seems to have a good sociability. It’s a bit embarrassing to say it with my own mouth (laughs). I think my love for volleyball is bigger than anyone else. It’s because I’m the kind of person who has to do what I love. And juniors can be a bit difficult, but they often clean, so the surroundings must always be clean. As a volleyball player, you quickly realize mistakes in passing. So regardless of the win or loss of the game, I look up the game video and think about and analyze what went well and what was wrong. That seems to be the biggest advantage.
Q. What kind of director is Shin Dong-yeon?
The director attaches great importance to principles. He jokes with us a lot and tells us in detail when we exercise. Wouldn’t he be the perfect director for this era (laughs)? However, if you break the rules, you seem to be stricter than anyone else. I am always grateful for being with me seriously during training and pointing out each one accurately.
What is director Shin Dong-yeon to Kim Tae-won? – ‘Dad’
takes good care of each player and talks a lot, so communication seems to work well. He listens well and has a family atmosphere. However, when he is scolded, he clearly points out the problem and punishes him, so he has an image like a father. 슬롯사이트
Kyunghee
University Kyunghee University sent four players to the professional team in the 2021-2022 KOVO men’s rookie draft, which took place on September 28, 2021. Starting setter Shin Seung-hun, middle blocker Lee Su-min, libero Kim Young-jun, and outside hitter Kim In-gyun left the team at the same time. The vacancy left by the four key players who filled the court was huge. This is why he showed a slowdown throughout the 2022 season. There were no senior players to fill their vacancies.
If there is no tooth, it is said that it is gum, and four freshmen stepped on the court in their place. Because of this situation, the team could not be smooth. On April 27, he started the season with a shutout loss in the 2022 college volleyball U-League match against Chosun University at Seonseunggwan. It is true that the newly formed players were less organized compared to other teams because they participated in the competition after 3 months of integration. On the other hand, there was also income. He was overflowing with the spirit of a freshman. He roared louder than anyone else on the court and showed a lively appearance in the warm-up zone. Afterwards, the team gradually found stability in the national college volleyball tournaments in Goseong and Muan.
Manager Kim Chan-ho said, “Last season, as the main players joined the pros, in 2022, it was operated with a focus on first-year players. In preparation for the 2023 season, I tried to learn teamwork during the game as well as game sense and practical ability,” he looked back on the season. “Since most of the players are in the lower grades, the adaptation to college volleyball has not been perfect yet. I think it will be a good team if we develop individual skills in this off-season,” he said, making him look forward to the 2023 season.
Director Kim said, “I am conducting individual training such as serving and blocking. In order for a team to work well, it must be harmonious as a whole rather than showing strength in one particular. That’s why we are also conducting team training.” Field training is also scheduled after January. Coach Kim Chan-ho is more important than usual performance, but he wants more energy on the court than anyone else. As if responding to the coach’s wishes, he can see players shouting “fighting” loudly outside the court during training.
What kind of coach would coach Kim Chan-ho want to remain with the players?
“Before I was a volleyball player, I was still a student. Skills are built over time. However, I think there is a time to design your life or future. That’s why I want to be remembered as a director and a life senior who can help design for such a future. I am trying to help the players with what I experienced.” As soon as I heard coach Kim’s words, I thought of a helper who wanted to help the players in various areas away from volleyball.
Jungmin Lee (OH, sophomore)
Q. This is your first interview with <The Spike>, how do you feel?
I’ve always watched it since I was young, but it’s new and amazing that the day has come when I became a Kyunghee University player and interviewed.
Q. How was your first life as a college student?
My school life and college life were very different, so everything was new and fun. But looking back now, it seems that there are many things that are regrettable in many ways.
Q. If there was something that was regrettable in 2022.
The defense part was the most disappointing. I think the team would have been able to show a slightly better image if we had accepted and endured a little better. Last season, there were minor injuries before the game. So I couldn’t fully show my skills. We will try to show you everything in the 2023 season.
Q. Is there a part that the director emphasizes?
Put a lot of emphasis on defense. It is also the part where you feel that you are lacking. I think if I can hold on with a stable receive, the team’s game operation will be a little smoother. It remains to emphasize that the serve should be stable and give a strong impression.
Yunseo Ma (OH, sophomore)
Q. What do you think has changed the most since high school?
First of all, the facilities have changed. There is a weight training area, so you can do individual exercises at your own time. I think it gave me a lot of strength.
Q. You spent a year at Kyung Hee University.
He went to college and learned a lot. I still have a lot to learn, but I think I can show my progress little by little as I am enjoying playing volleyball with my teammates. Next year, I want to do better than this year, and my goal is to advance to the semifinals.
Q. Is there anything you need to develop more in the future?
It doesn’t seem to have full power when attacking yet. So I think we need to develop more strength. The director also emphasizes that part the most. And as a striker, it would be nice to supplement the defense as well.
What is director Kim Chan-ho to Lee Jung-min?
-‘Father ‘ He may seem indifferent, but deep down he thinks of us more than anyone else and takes care of us.
What is director Kim Chan-ho to Ma Yoon-seo? – ‘Teacher’
He is a volleyball coach, but he also talks a lot about life, so he seems like a teacher who helps in many ways.