On the 6th (local time) at the Mustafa Ozel Sports Hall in Istanbul, Turkey. As the club officials busily moved their sights to select foreign players for the 2025-2026 season, there were also some familiar faces knocking on the door of the V-League again. Willow Johnson (U.S.), the daughter of legendary left-handed pitcher Randy Johnson, who achieved a career total of 303 wins in Major League Baseball, participated as a substitute foreign player in Heungkuk Life during the 2023-2024 season, and Dali Santana (Puerto Rico), who played for the Industrial Bank of Korea, is aiming to re-enter the V-League.
Rebecca Rasem (U.S.), a Korean American who was drafted by the Industrial Bank of Korea and made her debut in the V-League during the 2021-2022 season, also threw her hat into the ring. Rasem's grandmother was a first-generation Korean American immigrant who gained the spotlight while playing in the V-League.
On the first day of the tryout schedule, Rasem underwent a medical check and fitness test, feeling shy yet greeted the Korean reporters cheerfully in Korean by saying, "Hello." Rasem noted, "The draft I participated in was held as a non-face-to-face event, so I am happy to have the opportunity to participate in the tryout in person this time," and added, "I can show a more developed version of myself since leaving the V-League. I believe I have pushed myself to grow over the past few seasons."
After failing to re-sign in the V-League, Rasem gained experience by playing in Greece and Puerto Rico. She won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the Puerto Rico Women's Volleyball League (LVSF) this season. Rasem stated, "I trained with the mindset that I have to become a primary scorer to be selected again in the V-League. I built my confidence in the Puerto Rican League and took on the tryout with the thought that I can achieve more through a successful season."
Reflecting on her past, she said, "In fact, when I came last time, I was not a very experienced player. I had a lot of thoughts about just showing a bright appearance on the court and fought against negative thoughts." She added, "Now it's different. My competitive spirit has grown, and I have a strong desire to finish the scoring. I will show that the spark inside me is alive. I have returned as a small candle that has become a big flame," passionately asserting her increased confidence.
However, Rasem must overcome tough competition to play in the V-League. Early decisions by teams such as GS Caltex, which has already re-signed Giselle Silva, suggest that there are at least three teams likely to select from players who competed last season. Rasem reaffirmed, "The level of the participants in the tryout is high. But I will show my skills on the trying stage with the heightened tension based on my accumulated experience."
Rasem did not hide her special feelings toward the V-League. This passion is why Rasem eagerly aims for a return. She repeatedly expressed that she misses Korea, saying, "I have continued to follow the V-League even after leaving. I watched many games featuring Silva from GS Caltex and Kim Yeon-koung from Heungkuk Life. Watching the games often brings back memories of Korea, making it difficult for me."
Rasem continued, "I felt emotions here that I cannot feel in any other country while meeting the fans who welcomed and loved me. It was a personally tough time, but I was able to overcome it with the love from the fans. Knowing how much Korean fans love volleyball and how special the culture is in giving love to players, I really wanted to return. The experiences of culture, food, and more were also amazing," she said. She emphasized her unique determination for the tryout by adding, "I have longed to visit Korea, but it has been impossible during the volleyball season. I really hope to get that opportunity this time."
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