What will happen to the first season version in Korea? Lee Go-eun, the main setter who diligently worked with Pepper Savings Bank for a season, disappeared in an instant.
In the 2022-23 season, Pepper Savings Bank was looking for a new command tower after former manager Kim Hyung-sil resigned voluntarily for poor performance. After searching for candidates at home and abroad, he joined hands with 38-year-old director Aachen Kim.
Director Aachen Kim advanced Brown University to the NCAA round of 64 tournament for the first time in history in 2021. Aachen Kim, who recorded 13 wins and 1 loss that year, was also selected as the Ivy League Manager of the Year. The club side explained the background of the seniority, saying, “In the United States, which has a wide base of players, there are about 1,000 NCAA teams alone, and we paid attention to his leadership that brought the team to the round of 64 tournament.”
Last week, coach Aachen Kim, who conducted a written interview with this magazine, said, “The team will be convened from the 30th and will begin training from May 1st.”
What is the difference between Korean professional volleyball and American college volleyball? When asked about this, coach Aachen Kim said, “American middle blockers are faster and taller, while the V-League generally has a stronger serve than the NCAA.” The team is strong on defense,” he said.
In addition to data volleyball, coach Aachen Kim mentioned speed volleyball, especially fastball. When asked about the strategy that focuses on the fast attack, he said, “In the Asian quarter draft, which was recently held for the first time, we recruited middle blocker MJ Phillips.” I think the main task in the off-season will be to match the middle blocker’s breathing and arrange the middle blocker’s movements.”
Among them, Pepper Savings Bank drew attention by recruiting Park Jung-ah (former member of Korea Expressway Corporation) from the list of free agents (FA) released this year.
Regarding this, coach Aachen Kim said, “The FA signed outside hitters such as Lee Han-bi, Chae Seon-ah, and Park Jung-ah, and the middle blocker was also reinforced. Between MJ Phillips and the existing core players, I hope that players who are specialized in moving attacks will develop.”
Among the basic skills, he focused on scoring ability. “I know it’s not as easy as it sounds,” he said.
However, on the 26th, the club created a great sensation by suddenly sending Lee Go-eun, the main setter, to the road construction instead of tying Lee Go-eun as a protected player as a free agent compensation player. Currently, the remaining setters at Pepper Savings Bank are Hyeon Lee, Sol Gu (currently in the middle blocker position), and Pak Rang.
On the morning of the same day, an official from the Pepper Savings Bank club said in a phone call with this magazine, “There is no guarantee that the road construction will choose Lee Go-eun, so we will know when the results come out.” . After the announcement of the compensation player, an official from the Korea Expressway Corporation said to the magazine, “I chose Lee Go-eun without hesitation because I needed a sense of immediate action after seeing Lee Go-eun’s release.”크크크벳
After the player transfer was officially announced, the reporters of this magazine wanted to hear from manager Aachen Kim about the management of the setter through the club, but could not hear it because they could not be reached. According to officials, coach Aachen Kim is in a difficult situation to answer due to poor physical condition. The written interview was written before the Asian Quarter Draft due to the club’s FA schedule and was delivered after the player transfer work was completed.
At the end of the written interview, Director Achen Kim added, “I emphasize the power of hard work rather than talent,” and added, “Even people with ordinary talents must work hard with passion and persistence.”
In addition, he said, “I want to play a faster style of volleyball, and I want the Pepper Savings Bank players to show the same determination on the court as the team I previously coached.”
Was the transfer of the main setter also the result of Aachen Kim’s ‘data’? Or was it a result outside the data? How will the outline of the volleyball that the ‘Aachen Kim’, which will raise the anchor, pursue this season be drawn?