2023-2024 KOVO Women's Rookie Draft held at the Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 10th. The 'last choice' of Pepper Savings Bank AI Peppers was Libero Lee Chae-eun (19, Gwangju Women's University).
Lee Chae-eun appeared in the rookie draft last year, but was unknown. The harsh reality that half the players who attended the draft should receive. However, the frustration of not being able to play volleyball with a professional player who has been together all his life is indescribable. 메이저 토토사이트
Many players are frustrated in front of the wall of reality. It is also one of the decisive reasons for quitting volleyball.
Lee Chae-eun took on the challenge once again. He went to Gwangju Yeodae University and once again challenged himself to become a professional. Finally, his name was called. Although he is a trainee, a college player was selected in the draft for the first time in the women's division. There have been several cases in the past where college graduates or unemployed athletes wore professional uniforms. However, Lee Chae-eun is the first university student to be nominated for a professional position.
Lee Chae-eun said, "I challenged the draft for the second time. I really thought it wouldn't work, but lastly, AI Peppers picked it for me. "I think I just cried without thinking," he said.
The reason why Lee Chae-eun went to Gwangju Yeo University after being named was clear. I was determined not to give up
Lee Chae-eun said, "I wanted to break the fact that I couldn't go professional in college. "I wanted to show my juniors that I could be selected (for a professional) even when I went to college," he said. "I got a call from other universities, but director Choi Sung-woo of Gwangju Women's University said, 'Let's try the next draft, not the end." In addition, he said, "I think that's why the coach made me exercise more."
A total of 40 people applied for the draft, and 21 people visited the club. Lee Chae-eun's nomination was enough to instill confidence in 19 people that they could do it. Lee Chae-eun said, "I also went to college last year without being nominated, and I hope that the players who were not nominated today will not give up and have confidence to do it again."
Lee Chae-eun, who broke down one wall, stepped into the fierce competition stage. AI Peppers coach Joe Tringe said, "The team showed stable receiving in the test conducted by the club. "I named him because I thought he could play a good role," he explained.
Lee Chae-eun said, "First of all, I like sports. "My dream is to be a fighting player," he said, adding, "I'm a role model because I'm Oh Ji-young in the same position in the AI Peppers. I think they look similar in their fighting spirit. "I want to follow suit," he said.