"I got angry at myself after the draft" — Regrets remaining after missing out on a pro team, 174cm Lee Su-in begins to soar again at Gwangju Women's University [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

For Lee Su-in (19, Gwangju Women's University), an outside hitter standing 174cm tall, last year's Korean Volleyball League (KOVO) rookie draft still leaves a lingering sense of regret. More than the outcome itself — not making it to the pro league — was the deep regret she felt toward herself during the process.

In a recent interview with StarNews at Gwangju Women's University, Lee Su-in said, "Actually, I didn't train that hard in my third year of high school. Still, I thought I had done my best for the team, but when I actually went to the draft, I was filled with so much regret. I even wondered, 'Was working hard enough?'" She added, "At first, I even considered whether I should continue playing volleyball in college, but once the draft ended, I felt utterly empty and even angry at myself."

That lingering hope brought Lee Su-in back to the court. Although she had nearly decided to attend a different university after graduating from Pohang Girls' High School, she ultimately chose Gwangju Women's University. She liked both the department and the team atmosphere, but above all, her desire to "try again properly" was decisive. Lee Su-in said, "Gwangju Women's University had an environment where everyone trained hard and felt like family. Coach Choi Sung-woo also has a strong sense of responsibility, which made me think that if I really work harder here, I might have another chance."

Her choice is quickly bearing fruit. Gwangju Women's University claimed the championship at the "2026 Korean Air Cup National University Volleyball Goseong Tournament," held in July at an indoor gymnasium in Goseong County, Gyeongsangnam-do, without dropping a single set from the preliminary rounds to the finals. In the final match, they defeated powerhouse Woosuk University 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16), securing back-to-back titles.

The victory carried even greater significance because it was achieved by the players themselves after Coach Choi Sung-woo (34) was suspended from the bench in June due to disciplinary action at the U-League. The situation worsened further 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. Injuries also struck key players.

One of the players who filled that void was Lee Su-in, who had just enrolled in university. At the Danyang tournament, she demonstrated a presence beyond her freshman year, including Gong Gyeok-sang-eul (수상), contributing to Gwangju Women's University's runner-up finish.

The head coach also highly evaluates Lee Su-in's potential. Coach Choi Sung-woo stated, "Lee Su-in has great fighting spirit and good height. She hits the ball well too." He added, "Even as a freshman, she showed 200% of what she could do to help the team reach this championship."

He further praised her, saying, "The outside hitter position at Gwangju Women's University is by no means an easy one. It was a spot previously held by very skilled seniors, so there could have been pressure, but she handled it really well."

There is also great potential for growth in her offense. Coach Choi highlighted Lee Su-in's purposeful serves, cross attacks, and excellent timing as strengths. While she had grown accustomed to limited offensive patterns during high school, she is now learning how to move and find space to attack.

Lee Su-in herself has felt significant changes since entering university. She said with a smile, "The training atmosphere here is very well-structured. As we practice pattern plays, the coach teaches us every detail of our technique, and I can feel myself improving."

Her greatest strength, in her own view, lies not in offense but in receiving and defense. Lee Su-in explained, "Compared to other outside hitters, I think I'm closer to a receiver type. I feel more confident in defense, receiving, and catching than in attacking."

She has not played only one position since childhood. In elementary school, she was an outside hitter; in middle school, a middle blocker; and in high school, she experienced both middle blocker and opposite spiker roles. It was only after joining Gwangju Women's University that she began focusing exclusively on the outside hitter position. The training intensity also changed significantly. Lee Su-in said, "I came here hearing that Gwangju Women's University has intense training. At first, it was really tough, but now I've adapted."

Off the court, she is preparing for another future as a university student. She is working toward certifications such as Professional Sports Instructor and Exercise Prescription qualifications. If her athletic career does not go as planned, she is also considering employment with a sports association. Lee Su-in said, "I train five days a week, and on weekends, I take turns giving volleyball lessons to the general public at an elementary school. The coach has helped us greatly in building self-reliance." She added with a smile, "After practice, it's free time. When we rest, my seniors and I go out into town, wear pretty clothes, take photos, and have fun."

However, her ambition for volleyball has not diminished. For now, her biggest goal is to join a corporate team after completing her third year of university. Given that she can once again dream of a future through the sport she loves, enrolling at Gwangju Women's University became a turning point for Lee Su-in.

Lee Su-in has erased her self-doubt about whether she truly gave her all and is gradually carving out her own place by winning the Goseong Tournament and finishing as runner-up at the Danyang tournament. She is transforming her regret of "If only I had worked a little harder back then" into "This time, I did my best without regrets."

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*This content was translated by AI.