"My son thinks I do best when I'm being interviewed." Korean Air's thrill once again! 'Father of two' Lee Si-mon is ready [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Si-mon (34), an outside hitter for Our Card in the men's division of the Korean Volleyball League, cannot forget last season's match against Korean Air in Round 5.

On February 10, at Incheon Gyeyang Gymnasium, Lee Si-mon led Our Card to a 3-1 victory in the 2025–2026 V-League men's regular season Round 5 match against Korean Air, scoring 9 points with a 75% attack success rate. Initially shaken by Kyle Russell's powerful serve, Lee Si-mon displayed exceptional focus as the match progressed. After the game, he was selected as the "Pang Pang Player," the award for the most valuable player, and participated in a broadcast interview.

Meeting with StarNews at Our Card's clubhouse located at Incheon Songnim Gymnasium, Lee Si-mon recalled, "Last season's match against Korean Air is the most memorable. At that time, Ali and (Kim) Ji-han were not performing well, so I came in as a substitute. We were trailing, and I entered the court alongside (Han) Sung-jeong. I remember having a lot of fun playing volleyball that day. Although I didn't play much, everything seemed to go well, and I felt that playing volleyball was truly enjoyable."

He added, "It felt like I could hit anything that came my way, and I could receive any kind of ball. My physical condition was good, but more importantly, I was overflowing with confidence. That positive momentum continued, and the fact that I participated in one of the few broadcast interviews afterward made the memory even more vivid."

His son, Rown (8), and daughter, Roa (6), were happier than anyone else. Although they now attend elementary school and only visit the volleyball court on weekends, they remain passionate fans who occasionally offer their father advice. Lee Si-mon smiled, saying, "When the children were younger, they came to watch more often. These days, they attend various academies, and weekday games end late, so they only come to weekend matches. The Korean Air game was on a weekday, so they watched it on TV. Since there were only a few interviews, my wife even recorded videos of the children watching me on broadcast. They were truly delighted."

He continued, "My son believes that the person being interviewed is the best player. That's why that day remains especially memorable for me. Seeing their reaction, I felt it was a blessing that my children remember their father as a volleyball player. It's an unavoidable father's desire to show them better performances for a long time."

As Our Card enters the 2026–2027 season, its biggest challenge is how to fill the void left by Ali Hagparast (22), who was named to the V-League Best 7 last season and served as the team's main attacker. With Our Card opting to fill the Asia quota spot with a middle blocker, the performances of domestic outside hitters such as Lee Si-mon, Kim Ji-han (27), and Han Sung-jeong (30) have become crucial.

In that sense, the match against Korean Air, where Our Card secured a comeback victory despite Ali's struggles, held significant meaning for both Lee Si-mon and Our Card.

Lee Si-mon stated, "I think players must experience that kind of thrill. Honestly, if you haven't felt that excitement, hearing 'work hard to reach the top' won't motivate you. But players who have experienced that thrill will later imagine themselves performing even better and approach training with a positive mindset."

He further emphasized, "I am aware of the concerns about Ali's absence. However, all players share the same mindset. Even without Ali, someone must step up. Last season, we didn't rely solely on two clear starters. When someone wasn't performing, substitutes stepped in, and we supported each other to reach the spring playoffs."

Last season, Our Card head coach Park Cheol-woo (41), despite being in an interim role where results are under intense scrutiny, boldly rotated his lineup. By making decisive moves to bench even starters who were not performing well during sets, he injected energy into the backup roster. Our Card players say this approach provided significant motivation and confidence.

Lee Si-mon shared, "Players must play in matches. There is a complete difference between stepping onto the court even once and never entering it. Last season, Coach Park Cheol-woo expanded the rotation, telling backup players, 'We don't know when we'll be called upon, so let's stay prepared.'"

He continued, "I believe starters also have strengths and weaknesses. If early substitutes make many mistakes, it becomes noticeable. Conversely, they strive harder to avoid such errors. This creates a positive synergy effect."

Our Card seeks to add a bit more offensive power to Lee Si-mon's existing defensive skills. With Ali absent, starting players must collectively contribute points to fill the gap. Lee Si-mon said, "The coach told me that my receiving and defense are fine, but I should focus more on the offensive side. The coach was an exceptional attacker during his playing days, so there is much to learn from him. He provided extensive feedback last season, and I found enjoyment in discovering areas I didn't know. It was a great opportunity for me."

He added, "When the ball comes to me, I aim to increase my scoring success rate. Even with a poor pass, I must find a way to hit it and score. To do that, I plan to communicate frequently with the setters. While not neglecting my strengths, I will also develop my offensive capabilities."

Our Card fields its best players on the court. The father of two, Lee Si-mon, intends to respond to Coach Park Cheol-woo's season motto with full commitment. Lee Si-mon said, "First, any coach should field the best players. However, teamwork and synergy within that framework are equally important. Coach Park Cheol-woo values this highly. He always emphasizes players' attitudes and fundamentals, and hopes they project bright and positive energy on the court."

He continued, "I read an article stating that during his appointment ceremony, the coach said he would evaluate players without prejudice. Based on his determination to judge solely on ability, regardless of age, I resolved to do my best to make it into the best lineup. Ali is an exceptional player with much to teach, but I believe I also have my own strengths. I am confident that I have unique advantages different from Ali's, and I want to maximize those strengths on the court to help the team win."

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*This content was translated by AI.