Clubs Stomp on Korea's Ground in Asia Quarter, Expect to Scratch Itchy Places
The Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) made changes to the Asian quarter system that was implemented for the first time last year. Up until last season, the Asian quarter players were selected from a total of 10 countries, including four East Asian countries (Japan, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong) and six Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Myanmar), but starting this year, the Asian quarter players will be selected from all 65 member countries registered in the Asian Volleyball Federation (AVC). V-League clubs, which have a wide range of choices, have been busy. And 14 players were selected in the Asian quarter draft held on Jeju Island in April, except for the women's team Hyundai Engineering & Construction's Wipawi Shi Tong (Thailand) and Jeonggwanjang Megawatti Puttiwi (Indonesia), who were together last year, all 12 clubs chose "New Face." The nationalities of China, Iran, Australia and Kazakhstan have also diversified as the options have expanded. They are visiting Korea in succession. Except for Wipawi and Megawati who chose to accompany them this season following last season, GS Caltex's Stephanie Weiler (Australia), Heungkuk Life Insurance's Huang Lui-rey and Pepper Savings Bank's Zhang Wei (China), Korea Expressway Corporation's Unieska (Kazakhstan) and IBK Industrial Bank's Shintongcheon (China) all arrived in Korea. Wi Pawi will come to Korea this week, Wyler next week, and Megawati will come to Korea around August after playing in the Indonesian league. Unlike the women's team, the men's team, which is "new face" for all seven players, has all entered the country except for Deng Xinfeng (China) of Hyundai Capital. Each club has high expectations for the Asian quarter. Through the opening of the door, more players have challenged the V-League, especially players from China and Iran, who have different physical advantages from Korea. In other words, the team usually grows up to 200 centimeters tall and adds a certain strength to the team's next season. Expectations are high that foreign players will be able to scratch itchy spots as well. Most teams compensate for their weak positions in team power. If wing strikers such as the Apogit Spiker and the outside heater dominate, many teams have enhanced the positions of setters and middle blockers as well as wing strikers in the Asian quarter. A volleyball official expressed expectations, saying, "The options are wider than last season, so it will have a positive effect on running the team."