Drafted with hesitation: 166cm OH Son-yoon rises as university MVP! Her volleyball passion, undeterred even by a torn ACL, knocks on the door of professional leagues again [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

At 166cm, she is undeniably short for an outside hitter. Son-yoon (21, Gwangju Women's University) knew this reality better than anyone during her high school days. That was why she even hesitated to apply for the professional rookie draft while in her third year at Gyeongnam Girls' High School.

Recently, Son-yoon told StarNews at Gwangju Women's University, "My position is outside hitter, and my height was too small. Also, there were so many talented players in my grade." She added, "Since I knew I wouldn't be picked anyway, I thought it would be better not to apply and risk getting hurt emotionally than to apply for no reason."

Nevertheless, she submitted her application at the coach's recommendation as a learning experience. The result was that she went undrafted. Going to university was also not part of her original plan. She even considered working part-time after graduation to help her younger sibling, who was doing track and field, with their training. At that time, her high school coach advised, "Still, you should go to university, study a good major, and graduate."

That decision led her to Gwangju Women's University, and that choice changed Son-yoon's volleyball life. A middle blocker until middle school, she transformed into an outside hitter in high school. She did not try to overcome her short stature with strength alone. Instead, she mixed fast attacks with consecutive hits and attacks utilizing the blockers' hands. Her most confident shot is the straight drive.

Choi Sung-woo (34), head coach of Gwangju Women's University, evaluated, "(Son) Yoon has excellent volleyball sense despite her short height." He continued, "She hits quickly and then smashes, or creates angles and mixes in consecutive hits. We express this positively as 'playing dirty,' which means she plays the game intelligently." He further praised, "Her attack speed is fast, and we have won championships many times thanks to Yoon. She is a very diligent player with excellent character."

At university, her potential became reality. Son-yoon grew so much that she received the MVP award at the 2024 Korean University Sports Federation (KUSF) University Volleyball U-League tournament. Gwangju Women's University won its first championship after five finals since its founding in 2023, and it was Son-yoon who secured the victory with her fingertips. However, as she prepared to challenge professional leagues again in 2025, a major trial came. While playing an exhibition match against a corporate team, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during landing. It was effectively a season-ending injury.

Despite poor conditions for university sports, neither the players nor the coaching staff gave up. Coach Choi personally studied rehabilitation methods for ACL injuries and conducted weight training and rehabilitation exercises with Son-yoon for about two hours every day for approximately six months. Enduring that time, Son-yoon returned to the court in 2026.

Gwangju Women's University also achieved meaningful results this year after Son-yoon's return. At the "2026 Korean Air Cup National University Volleyball Goseong Tournament" held at an indoor gymnasium in Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam Province last July, they won the tournament without losing a single set from the preliminary rounds to the finals. In the final, they decisively defeated powerhouse Woosuk University 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16), achieving back-to-back championships. This victory was even more special because it was achieved by players uniting tightly while Coach Choi was unable to sit on the bench due to a suspension received at the U-League in June.

The situation became even more difficult at last month's Danyang tournament. Goseong Tournament MVP Kim Min-chae (20) moved to Suwon City Hall, and fourth-year players left for job hunting preparations. Injuries also struck key players. Nevertheless, Gwangju Women's University reached the finals and secured the runner-up position. Son-yoon was recognized for her skills by receiving the service award at this tournament as well.

For Son-yoon, university was not simply a second choice chosen because she couldn't go pro. In fact, when her younger sibling planned to challenge a corporate team immediately after high school graduation, she advised, "Go to university, build your skills further, and then challenge. Try it without regrets."

These words came from her own experience. Son-yoon said, "I hope high school players don't focus only on going pro." She added, "I want to let them know that it is not bad to go to university, build skills a bit more, and challenge again rather than joining a professional or corporate team for about a year and then quitting."

She is not looking at volleyball alone. Majoring in elementary special education at Gwangju Women's University, she is also preparing for another future as a teacher. On her days off, she is overwhelmed with assignments while working to obtain her teaching certification.

However, she has not given up on her dream of going pro. She is challenging the rookie draft again this year. Ironically, it is thanks to applying for the V-League rookie draft that she hesitated over a few years ago. According to current Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) regulations, if a female player who is about to graduate from high school refuses to participate in the corresponding rookie draft, they cannot apply for five years.

Her favorite player is Kim Se-in (23) of Korea Expressway Corporation. Kim Se-in is also an outside hitter with a height of 173cm, not particularly tall, but she is already entering her sixth professional season. Son-yoon does not hide her height or use it as an excuse either. For now, only her passion for volleyball remains within her.

Son-yoon smiled brightly, saying, "The charm of an outside hitter is that even if you are short, you can do anything." She continued, "It is my mother's dream for me to be drafted in the rookie draft. Realistically, I could graduate from school and challenge corporate teams as well, but regardless, I am still playing volleyball. I will keep moving forward."

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*This content was translated by AI.