

Villena and Andrić drafted into Korean League after try-outs in Toronto

Miscellaneous



Toronto, Canada, May 12, 2019. There are not a lot of events like it. Twenty athletes, from over a dozen different countries, all hand-picked by the Korean Volleyball League to compete for one of seven foreigner spots coveted by Volleyball players from all over the globe. European Volleyball was well represented at the try-outs in Toronto, Canada.



The athletes representing European countries included:

• Andrea Santangelo (Italy)

• Andrés Villena (Spain)

• Bram Van den Dries (Belgium)

• Jhon Wendt (France)

• Leo Andrić (Croatia)

• Michal Finger (Czech Republic)



North Americans like Gavin Schmitt (Canada), Michael Sanchez Bozhulev (Cuba), and Liberman Agamez (Colombia) joined them. With players of this calibre and only seven spots available, the competition was respectful but intense. Try-outs consisted of hitting and serving drills, followed by scrimmages. Dozens of staff from teams in the Korean V-League carefully analysed every attack, block, and serve. After all, the success of their club this season could come down to this one decision. After each session, athletes received new shirts showing their rank within the group.







With almost every player in the gym standing at over 200cm, there was not any room for setters or liberos. Foreign players are brought into the Korean Volleyball league for one reason: to hit balls. Last season, Krisztián Pádár (Hungary) scored 895 points in 159 sets of play, an average of 5.62 points per set. The offensive expectations for draftees are sky-high, so team managers paid close attention to the ability for hitters to maintain their level after hours of play. Moreover, a spin serve that clears 100km/h is mandatory.



After three days and a dozen hours of intense scrutiny, everyone made their way to the Chelsea Hotel in the heart of downtown Toronto to find out if they had been selected. As far as Volleyball is concerned, this is a unique event. Most player signings are done through agent conference calls and conversations behind closed doors. At the draft, the next year of your life can be decided in an instant, leading to a tense atmosphere in the hotel conference room as each athlete anxiously waited for their name to be called.





Leo Andrić of Croatia was one of two Europeans drafted into the next edition of the Korean Volleyball League.



In the end, two European players were drafted into the Korean V-League. With the second pick, Ok Savings Bank selected Leo Andrić (Croatia), who impressed director Seok Jin-wook with his hard-working demeanour and knack for fast-tempo Volleyball. With the fourth pick of the draft, the Korea Air Jumbos selected Andrés Villena (Spain). At “just” 192 cm, Villena was the shortest athlete invited to the draft but he made up for that fact with some spectacular serving and his team-oriented attitude.





Andrés Villena will be playing in the Korean national league next season for the Korea Air Jumbos INCHEON.



For Leo and Andrés, playing in Korea will be demanding. Players rarely stay for more than a couple seasons given the intense schedule but the skills and experience they gain will be invaluable for their future play in European club and national competition. For the rest of the players participating in the draft, even being invited is a recognition of the hard work they have put into Volleyball and their potential for the future.



Many thanks to Daniel Meneley for contributing to this article.



The athletes representing European countries included:• Andrea Santangelo (Italy)• Andrés Villena (Spain)• Bram Van den Dries (Belgium)• Jhon Wendt (France)• Leo Andrić (Croatia)• Michal Finger (Czech Republic)North Americans like Gavin Schmitt (Canada), Michael Sanchez Bozhulev (Cuba), and Liberman Agamez (Colombia) joined them. With players of this calibre and only seven spots available, the competition was respectful but intense. Try-outs consisted of hitting and serving drills, followed by scrimmages. Dozens of staff from teams in the Korean V-League carefully analysed every attack, block, and serve. After all, the success of their club this season could come down to this one decision. After each session, athletes received new shirts showing their rank within the group.With almost every player in the gym standing at over 200cm, there was not any room for setters or liberos. Foreign players are brought into the Korean Volleyball league for one reason: to hit balls. Last season, Krisztián Pádár (Hungary) scored 895 points in 159 sets of play, an average of 5.62 points per set. The offensive expectations for draftees are sky-high, so team managers paid close attention to the ability for hitters to maintain their level after hours of play. Moreover, a spin serve that clears 100km/h is mandatory.After three days and a dozen hours of intense scrutiny, everyone made their way to the Chelsea Hotel in the heart of downtown Toronto to find out if they had been selected. As far as Volleyball is concerned, this is a unique event. Most player signings are done through agent conference calls and conversations behind closed doors. At the draft, the next year of your life can be decided in an instant, leading to a tense atmosphere in the hotel conference room as each athlete anxiously waited for their name to be called.Leo Andrić of Croatia was one of two Europeans drafted into the next edition of the Korean Volleyball League.In the end, two European players were drafted into the Korean V-League. With the second pick, Ok Savings Bank selected Leo Andrić (Croatia), who impressed director Seok Jin-wook with his hard-working demeanour and knack for fast-tempo Volleyball. With the fourth pick of the draft, the Korea Air Jumbos selected Andrés Villena (Spain). At “just” 192 cm, Villena was the shortest athlete invited to the draft but he made up for that fact with some spectacular serving and his team-oriented attitude.Andrés Villena will be playing in the Korean national league next season for the Korea Air Jumbos INCHEON.For Leo and Andrés, playing in Korea will be demanding. Players rarely stay for more than a couple seasons given the intense schedule but the skills and experience they gain will be invaluable for their future play in European club and national competition. For the rest of the players participating in the draft, even being invited is a recognition of the hard work they have put into Volleyball and their potential for the future.Many thanks to Daniel Meneley for contributing to this article.