"I didn't expect to be picked this early..." The overall second pick who was surprised even herself: What did Head Coach Kim Se-jin see in the 18th-year-old high school setter?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Just two months after surprising other coaches, the high school setter had her name called earlier than expected on the professional stage as well. Kim Mi-ju (18) of Jungang Girls' High School was selected with the overall second pick in SOOP Supers' inaugural rookie draft as a newly established team.

Kim Mi-ju was chosen by SOOP with the first-round, overall second pick at the 2026~2027 Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Women's Rookie Draft held on the 28th at the Mayfield Hotel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

SOOP, which had a 30% probability of winning the overall first pick lottery based on its final ranking last season, was edged out by IBK Industrial Bank of Korea (20%) and obtained the second selection right. After IBK Industrial Bank of Korea selected Audrey Park (24), a setter from UCLA in the United States, with the overall first pick, SOOP Head Coach Kim Se-jin (52) called out Kim Mi-ju's name without hesitation.

Kim Mi-ju herself had not anticipated that her name would be called so quickly. Meeting with reporters immediately after the draft, Kim Mi-ju said, "Actually, I didn't know I would be picked this early. It was so fast that it felt unreal," adding with a smile, "I still have much to improve, but I will become a player who can grow further."

Kim Mi-ju, whose potential was recognized during her freshman year, began drawing attention again in August last month. Jungang Girls' High School had been blocked by Sunmyung Girls' High School in the March Spring League and the May National Category Championship, finishing as runner-up both times.

After that, they abandoned tournament participation for two months to focus on training, and finally defeated Sunmyung Girls' High School to claim the top spot at the August IBK Industrial Bank of Korea Cup National Middle and High School Volleyball Tournament. Setter Kim Mi-ju was at the center of this achievement. Standing 174cm tall, Kim Mi-ju led Jungang Girls' High School's offense with low and fast tosses utilizing her quick feet, and even won the tournament's setter award.

The intensive coaching by Jungang Girls' High School Head Coach Jang Yun-hee (56) was decisive. Until then, Kim Mi-ju had been evaluated as lacking the shooting power to put force into the ball at the final moment of a toss. In response, Head Coach Jang focused on training for two months to lower the toss and coordinate quickly with the attackers. Kim Mi-ju also explained in an interview with StarNews at the time, "I practiced a lot to keep my speed while tossing low. My goal is to deliver the ball that allows the attacker to hit it best."

Two months later, she received the result of being selected as the overall second pick. New mentor Head Coach Kim Se-jin also highly evaluated Kim Mi-ju's potential. Head Coach Kim said, "She was a player in a position we desperately needed. Kim Mi-ju has good height, and especially her fast toss was quite excellent," adding, "If she can coordinate well with the attackers, I think the effect will be very significant."

SOOP is the youngest club in the V-League, newly launched this May after acquiring Pepper Savings Bank AI Peppers. In June, they appointed Head Coach Kim Se-jin as their inaugural head coach, and held an official founding ceremony on the 3rd at Gwangju SOOP Stadium.

On the 11th, they played their first official match in the Yeosu KOVO Cup. Head Coach Kim has experience serving as the founding head coach of the men's OK Savings Bank team, leading them to a championship within two years of the team's launch. At SOOP as well, he is emphasizing erasing the colors of existing teams and making a fresh start.

The position chosen by SOOP in their first-ever draft was setter. Following the selection of Kim Mi-ju in the first round, they also drafted Cheongsu High School setter Kim Ju-sol (18) in the second round.

Head Coach Kim explained, "I thought Kim Ju-sol would go to another team. We were lucky. Since the two players are in the same grade, I feel that letting them compete will create a synergy effect. Rather than focusing on this season immediately, I expect them to develop into good players through a competitive system." Kim Mi-ju also stated her resolve, "As classmates, we should get along well and also need to compete."

Her role model is Sekita Masahiro (33), the setter for the Japanese men's national volleyball team. She has consistently studied Sekita's play, which involves competing with world-class players using quick feet and precise tosses.

Kim Mi-ju said, "I watch a lot of the VNL, and while watching Japan's matches, my eyes were caught by Sekita's play. After that, I kept looking for videos," adding, "I am trying to maximize my quick feet to send the toss with shooting power even at the same timing."

SOOP will take on Heungkuk Life in an away match on November 1 for their first V-League regular season game since founding. Kim Mi-ju reaffirmed her resolve, saying, "I will show off my strength, which is my quick feet, to the fullest during training."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original