There comes a time in everyone’s life when they are the center of attention.
For Korean Air men’s volleyball outside hitter Lee Jun (24), who is in his third year with the team, it was the day he stepped into the spotlight against Korea Electric Power at Suwon Gymnasium on Feb. 2.
Lee, who got a chance to start after main outside hitters Jeong Ji-seok and Kwak Seung-seok were sidelined with string injuries, scored 16 points, six of them through blocking, to help Korean Air win 3-0.
However, instead of being excited for the “game of his life,” Lee humbled himself, saying that even on days when things don’t go his way, he has to do his part to be a good player.
In the post-match press conference, Lee said, “As a player, you naturally want to do well. I hope I can continue to play like this, but there will definitely be bad days. I’m a good player when I play well even on bad days.”
Korean Air head coach Tommy Tilikainen pointed out to Lee that he needed to work on his blocking hand shape in training.
“My hands tend to spread a little bit when I block, so I put my hands together to block. “I was in good shape today, so I moved my body when I saw my opponent. There were a few lucky ones, but I think what I practiced came out,” he said.
In fact, Korean Air is not a team that gives a lot of playing time to young players.
There are too many established players.
When asked if he ever thought about moving to another team to play more, Lee threw up his hands.
“There are advantages and disadvantages (to being so competitive),” he said. I can grow by watching my brothers Jeong Ji-seok and Kwak Seung-seok. There’s a lot to learn.”
Teammate Jeong Jeong-yong, who has started to play well this season, is also a competitor.
A Hongik University classmate of Lee Jun’s, he made the team before Lee Jun and is on his way to becoming a starter.
“He’s got a good body and his skills have improved,” says Lee. I think I’m a player who can play like that now,” he said, adding, “If I keep training like this, the day will come when Han Yong and I will be able to play (as a starter) together.” He predicted a good-natured competition. 파워볼사이트