GS Caltex prepares for the new season at training camp in Japan… Focus on ‘reducing dependence on Silva’

GS Caltex, which reached the top of the V-League women's division last season, is in the midst of training for the new season in Japan.

Setter Kim Ji-won and middle blocker Oh Se-yeon, who have grown into the team's main players, have erased their memories of winning early and are sweating beadingly on the court.

The common topics of the two players interviewed by a joint press team at the Hitachinaka Training Center in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan on the 12th were 'diversity' and 'reducing dependence on Silva'.

Each team is looking for a solution in their own position to relieve the burden on 'main gun' Giselle Silva (registered name Silva), who has been responsible for more than 1,000 points every year for the past three seasons.

Setter Kim Ji-won, now in her 7th year as a professional, has a heavy burden on her shoulders amid competition from Ahn Hye-jin's departure and tall setter Park Ja-rang (177cm), who recently joined through a trade from SOOP.

Ji-won Kim said, “Setter is a position that makes you think hard, but it’s really exciting when I beat the opposing blocker with my toss.”

His challenge for the new season is varied ball distribution.

Kim Ji-won, who is working closely with new Asian quarter player Tanacha Suk Sot (registered name Tanacha), emphasized, "We should not only look at Silva. I want to play volleyball that the opponent cannot easily predict by utilizing other strikers equally."

The fast and sophisticated volleyball unique to the Japanese team is a great stimulus for him.

In particular, the guidance of coach Suguru Ishii, who specializes in Japanese setters who joined this season, is of great help.

Kim Ji-won said, “Thanks to the coach’s advice that my play became more urgent because the opponent was fast, I am learning to see the entire game in a big way.”

Middle blocker Oh Se-yeon, who started playing volleyball in high school and started later than others, is also about to enter her seventh professional season.

He, who played a leading role in the championship by making as many as eight blocks in the third game of last season's championship game, said, "It was even more valuable to experience the championship while playing," but drew the line, "Now is not the time to get drunk on winning."

Oh Se-yeon overcomes her height disadvantage (180 cm) with her long arms and jumping ability, but she feels that she still has a lot to improve in fast attack blocking, which requires her to run in place.

Under the detailed guidance of coach Lee Young-taek, a former middle blocker, he is focusing on correcting his hand position and timing of fast breaks when blocking.

The weapon that Oh Se-yeon is as greedy for as blocking is 'quick attack'.

This is because the quick attack in the center must be revived to disperse the check on wing striker Silva.

Oh Se-yeon said, “If I score a lot of points with fast breaks, it will be difficult for the opposing blockers to follow Silva,” and pledged, “This year, I want to try central attacks more actively and really get a taste of fast breaks.”