The growth of "middle blocker" Eddie (Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance) soon leads to an increase in the team's power.
From Mongolia, Eddie is the No. 1 player in the Asian quarter of the 2023-2024 V League. Kim Sang-woo, the head coach of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, held Eddie's hand, which he coached when he was at Sungkyunkwan University.
When he first brought it in, he planned to use it as an apogit spy. Even in the off-season, Kim trained Eddie as a striker through meticulous guidance.
Variables were adaptability and team situation. As he tried to coexist with Eddie by setting Yosbani as an outside heater, his weaknesses were exposed in receiving, defense, and connection. Eventually, Kim started using Eddie as a middle blocker. He chose the advantage of being able to use a strong serve while utilizing a large value of 198cm.
Eddie is a player who watched middle blockers in college as well. Apogit Spyker is more familiar, but it's not a position that I haven't played at all.
In the game against KB Insurance at Chungmu Gymnasium in Daejeon on the 19th, Eddie started as a middle blocker and scored eight points in full time. He helped from the height with one point blocked and four effective blocks. Trailing 1-4 in the fifth set, he led the set-score 3-2 come-from-behind victory with strong consecutive serves.
After the game, Kim said of Eddie, "He did better than I thought. If you refine it a little more, you can act as a good middle blocker. I'll prepare you well," he said, giving you a passing score.
Eddie, who led the reversal in the fifth set, said, "I tried to hit the serve as well as possible without mistakes. I had to narrow down the gap. I thought I could narrow the score if I scored well. It's been a while since I started and won five sets. I'm happy and happy," he said with a faint smile.
Although he is the No. 1 player in the Asian quarter, Eddie did not get much playing time compared to other teams. He said, "I was stressed out because it didn't help the team. "I felt a lot of pressure," he expressed his honest feelings.
Now Eddie is focused on being a better player as a middle blocker. Eddie said, "I originally went into Apogit Spyker, but I have Yosbani, so it's important that I do better as a middle blocker. Now I'm working harder as a middle blocker. "I'm not used to following blocking and connecting in defensive situations yet," he said.
Depending on Eddie's growth rate, the possibility of Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance's advance to spring volleyball may vary. Currently, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance is in third place with six wins, three losses and 16 points. If Eddie upgrades the team's weak middle blocker position, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance can continue its current high-flying streak for a long time.