Kang So-hwi (26-GS Caltex), an outside hitter for the Korean women’s volleyball team at the Hangzhou Asian Games, has vowed to step up her game.

Speaking before the V-League Women’s Media Day at the Cheongdam Rivera Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on Wednesday, Kang said, “This is the first time I feel tired. I told them I was only going to take two days off, so I got a good night’s rest and started reinforcement training yesterday (Nov. 11).”

Drafted by GS Caltex with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015-2016 rookie draft, Kang So-hwi was named that year’s Rookie of the Year and has grown into a franchise star for the team and a national team member who wears the Korean flag.

But the road hasn’t been easy lately. The team has been on a losing streak in the VNL and just returned from the recently concluded Hangzhou Asian Games, where they came away with a bronze medal.

“Honestly, it’s not that they didn’t try,” Kang said. Even though they were sick and physically exhausted, they gave it their 100%, but it was still very upsetting to see the results,” Kang reflected.

However, he added, “I think the criticism of Korean volleyball is correct. I don’t think it’s the players’ fault. I think it’s everyone’s problem. I definitely realized that Korean volleyball needs to improve, and I think it needs to change.”

The international tournament changed his outlook.

“When I saw the middle blockers from other countries, they were over 2 meters tall, and many were in the late 190s, but they were so agile. They were falling and diving. Korean middle blockers don’t do much defense, digging, and kicking. I hope the younger players will learn from them. I want them to not only practice blocking, but also practice defense.”메이저사이트

For Kang, this season is important. He is the captain of the team and will be eligible for free agency after the season.

His goals are many and high.

“I aimed to lead the team to the championship, win the triple crown, have an attacking and receiving success rate of 40%, and be the MVP of the round,” Kang said, explaining that “having multiple goals gives me a sense of accomplishment.”

“We’re not going to finish fifth or sixth this season. I’m going to try to do better,” he said.