“A new opportunity, a last chance. More desperate.”토토사이트
Outside hitter Son Hyun-jong, wearing the “third” jersey of his professional career, has a new determination with a new team.
Samsung Fire acquired Son and a first-round rookie draft pick for the 2023-2024 season from Korean Air on March 14 in exchange for a first-round rookie draft pick for the 2024-2025 season. The club said in a statement, “By acquiring a starter-level striker, we have strengthened our offense, which is a team weakness, and secured two excellent rookie players through this year’s rookie draft picks.”
It’s the third uniform of his professional career. Son began his professional career as a third-round pick of LIG Insurance (now KB Insurance) in the 2013-2014 season. She signed a free agent contract with Korean Air for the 2019-2020 season, and this time she laced up her volleyball shoes with Samsung Fire.
Speaking to us at the Samsung Training Center in Giheung, Yongin, Son said, “When I first heard the news, I thought, ‘Is it real?’ I thought it was a big decision and a great opportunity. Coach Kim Sang-woo also told me to do well because it’s a chance to do well. My physical condition is much better than the first time. I think I’ll be even better in the future,” she said.
Courtesy | Korea Volleyball Federation
Over the past three seasons, her playing time has gradually decreased. In her first season with Korean Air, she played 28 matches and 64 sets, scoring 51 points. In the 2020-2021 season, she played 16 matches and 30 sets, and only five matches and 14 sets after returning to her military team. “As a player, you want to play,” said Son, who spent a lot of time in the warm-up zone. Although my body sagged in the warm-up zone, I learned a lot from watching how the game flowed,” he said.
He is the senior on the team after middle blocker Ha Hyun-yong and libero Shin Dong-gwang. “I realized that the team itself is very young,” said Son Hyun-jong. I’m part of the vanguard, and we’ve been getting along very well. I don’t want to take the initiative, but as a senior, I want to help where I can,” he said.
He and setter Noh Jae-wook played together at LIG Insurance in the 2014-2015 season. “I haven’t seen him for a long time,” said Son. It’s the first time since we played together when Jae-wook was a rookie. We’re getting used to playing together.”
He wants to use the move as a ‘turning point’. “I don’t want to set big goals, but my first goal is to play without getting injured. I think it’s a new opportunity and my last chance. I will be grateful for each day and work hard to fulfill it,” he said.
