Women‘s Volleyball Rookie Is Emerging Star

She cheers up her teammates, plays with more poise than many veteran players, and raises her arm up into the air after a successful kill.

Women’s volleyball pro league rookie Bae Yu-na (28, GS Caltex), the most promising prospect in the league, will graduate Hanil Computer Science Girls’ High School next February. With a graceful body 181cm in height and attention-gathering looks, she is known for her graceful and dignified play on the court. Volleyball watchers are excited about her impact on women’s volleyball in Korea.

Bae is a real rookie among rookies, having nested herself in GS Caltex after being drafted number one in October’s rookie draft, and only just joined the team two weeks ago. However, she led the team to a 3-1 victory in her debut game against Korea Expressway Corporation by playing like a veteran Sunday at Dowon Gymnasium in Incheon.

Bae Yu-na used to play right attacker in high school, but played as a replacement center because Jeong Dae-yeong, the starter, had recently underwent appendix surgery. After the game, GS Caltex head coach Lee Hee-wan said, “Despite it not being Yu-na’s position, she played very well.”

Bae scored 19 offensive points, second in the team next to the Brazilian player Raquel, who scored 21 points. She scored three by serving, four by blocking, and two on back attacks. This is only one back attack short of a triple crown, which is scoring over three points off of serves, blocks and back attacks. Although it was her debut game, she did not even make one single error. Setter Lee Suk-ja (27) said, “Yu-na is unlike most rookies in that she is energetic and bold, which is why we nicknamed her “veteran senior.” Today, she really demonstrated guts.”

Bae Yu-na was humble, saying, “My senior team mates helped me make my successful debut. I will try to become the Rookie of the Year.”

yjongk@donga.com