"Do well, I'll give you a chance."
GS Caltex, newly appointed by head coach Lee Young-taek, left for Pepper Savings Bank with Han Da-hye, who served as the team's main libero until last season. It is clear that Han Ha-hye's departure from the team, which has been firmly guarding the back of the team in recent seasons, is a big loss for GS Caltex.
However, if there is a player who has left, there are also players who are trying to take the place of that player who has left. Lee Yu-ram, 19, who has to protect the defense line of GS Caltex with Han Soo-jin, is looking for a chance to catch a glimpse.
Yoo Ga-ram is a graduate of Jecheon Girls' High School and was selected as the fifth pick in the first round of the rookie draft last year. So far, Yoo Ga-ram is the seventh player to be selected in the first round based on position registration at the time of applying for the women's rookie draft. Before Yoo Ga-ram, there were Oh Ji-young (suspension of qualification) of Korea Expressway Corporation in the first round of the 2006-07 season, Na Hyun-jung (retired) of GS Caltex in the first round of the 2008-09 season, Kim Hye-sun (retired) of Heungkuk Life Insurance in the first round of the 2009-10 season, Han Soo-jin (GS Caltex), the first round of GS Caltex in the 2017-18 season, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the sixth round of Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), and Moon Seul-ki (Pohang City Sports Council), the sixth round of Pepper Savings Bank in the first round of the 2021-22 season.
In addition, Yuga-ram continued to play a role as an age representative. In early August last year, he played as a starting Libero at the U19 World Championships in Hungary and Croatia. Reception success rate - ranked 10th in the Dig. He also represented the Asian Youth Championship and the Asian Volleyball Federation (AVC) Cup in 2022.
Yuga-ram stayed in 10 games last season. On December 15, 2023, he made his professional debut against Pepper Savings Bank in the third round, entering the one-point server in place of Oh Se-yeon in the third set. There are still a lot of shortcomings, but he also has enough potential to fill those shortcomings.
GS Caltex manager Lee Young-taek said, "We are training hard. He had high expectations, saying, "Isn't he a promising player who was selected as a high-ranking player?"
GS Caltex has been conducting domestic summer training in Gangwon Province since the 27th of last month. Yoo Ga-ram, who met with MK Sports ahead of a practice match with Gangneung Girls' High School at Gangneung Girls' High School's Gymnasium on the 2nd, said, "Everything is the first time. It's also the first time in the off-season. I'm learning a lot by watching how my sisters exercise," he said.
In fact, Yoo Ga-ram was scheduled to participate in the 22nd Asian Youth Women's U20 Volleyball Championship, which is currently being held in Jiangmen, China. Jang Yoon-hee, head coach of the U20 national team, was selected as the main libero. However, the participation was canceled due to an unexpected injury just before the competition.
Yoo Ga-ram said, "I got injured during a practice match. I was told that I need to wear a cast for about three weeks. Still, there will be no problem in the cup tournament or the league," he said with a smile.
Han Da-hye left. Now I have to fight with my sisters to take the position. If you are a professional player, you cannot avoid the main competition. I know you, too.
"People around me are also told to set their goals high," Yuga-ram said. "I'm told to be prepared to take the main position, but that's right," he said, adding, "The professional has a strong serve." That's why we have to continue receiving training. In addition, defense is not only done with fast feet. You should also report the movement of the opponent's striker. I have to study more," he said.
Director Lee Young-taek's every word is a great help to Yoo Ga-ram. "In high school, there were not many players, so I often played games even if it wasn't my position. However, he is not a professional. There is enough players, and I think it's important for me to take one opportunity and take that position."
He said, "I'm competing with Soo-jin, but the director said, 'Do well, I'll give you a chance.' Such a word gives me a lot of strength. "The coach believes in the players comfortably, so not only I but also our players are trying to repay the coach's faith," he said.
The player that Yoo wants to resemble is Han Soo-jin, who plays the same position. What is the reason?
He said, "I want to look like Libero, the Turkiye national team, but I have Su-jin as my role model. As I come to the team and train together, I want to learn self-management, movement, and posture to play volleyball that I couldn't see in the game. Looking at Soojin, I often think, "Oh, I should try this."
Finally, Yoo Yoo-ram said, "I was very nervous last season. The coat looked so white. The season is over by the time the tension has eased. "I don't have much experience yet, but I want to show better performance than last season," he said. "If I have a goal, I would like to have an interview with more than 40% of the season's receiving efficiency and the host broadcaster after the game."
[Gangneung = Lee Jungwon, reporter of MK Sports]
