Volleyball is often referred to as a “setter game”. This is because the team’s offense depends on how well the setter serves the ball to her teammates. It’s also a position that requires a lot of communication and coordination, so the decision to hire a foreign player can be difficult. This is especially true if the player is from a non-English speaking country. Communication is a concern. But IBK didn’t have to worry about that. It filled the 토토사이트 Asian quota, which was introduced for the first time this season, with Thai national team setter Ponpun, 30.
Ponpun is well known in Korea for his impressive performances against South Korea in major international tournaments, including the 2022 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). Other teams coveted him, but IBK, who had the No. 1 pick in the Asian Quarterly Draft, didn’t hesitate. “We saw Ponpun as the right fit for the fast-paced, high-octane volleyball we want to play,” explains IBK head coach Kim Ho-cheol, a legendary setter himself.
He was right. With so many international tournaments this summer, Ponpun hasn’t had much time to adjust to her new teammates, but with each match, the “field commander” has become more and more dominant.
Ponpun was just as impressive in the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League Women’s Third Round away match against Korea Expressway Corporation on Tuesday, when IBK swept the match 3-0 in straight sets. Her confident tossing, wide vision, and timely ball distribution helped the team capitalize on attacks from Jupo Abecrombie, Pyo Seung-ju, Hwang Min-kyung, and Choi Jung-min. With their third straight win, IBK (8W-7L-22P) moved up one spot to fourth place.
Still, Kim is not completely satisfied. At 6-9 down in the third set against Roadworks, he substituted Kim Ha-kyung for Ponpun to shake things up. While he was considerate of her ankle condition, he sent a clear message that she shouldn’t be complacent just because things are going well.
Of course, there is plenty of room for improvement. With Ponpun as the leader of the team and the chemistry between the two still unfinished, IBK’s upward momentum will only get stronger as time goes on.