"I wonder if I can play with Kim Yeon-koung for even one season."
Rebecca Rashem, a Korean-American foreign player from the United States, realized her dream of returning to the V League by being selected 7th overall by Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders in the 2025 KOVO Women's Foreign Player Draft held in Istanbul, Turkey, on the 9th (local time).
After being selected, Rashem shared, "It couldn't be better. I want to go to Korea right away. I'm thrilled and moved," and said, "I barely held back my tears at the moment of selection. I anxiously waited each time another player's name was called, and finally, my name was called. I can't believe it, and it’s hard to express it. I wanted to cry and shout, but I went up on stage smiling."
When asked if she liked the team color 'pink', which is Heungkuk Life's symbolic color, she replied, "I love it. My boyfriend wore a pink shirt. When I join the team, I will also dye my nails pink."
Rashem, a Korean-American foreign player with a Korean grandmother, made her V League debut in the 2021-2022 season with IBK Industrial Bank. She received warm attention from fans due to her connections to Korea and her beautiful appearance, and after arriving in the country, she quickly integrated into the team with her diligent training attitude and sociability. Her powerful attacks, based on her height of 191 cm, were noted as her strengths.
Contrary to expectations, Rashem was unable to fulfill her role as a foreign player and was notified of her release from IBK Industrial Bank in November 2021. Before the alternate player Dali Santana joined, Rashem played four more matches and displayed the dignity of a professional by giving her all until the end. After the final match of the V League, she wiped her tears and looked forward to what comes next.
After failing to renew her contract in the V League, Rashem continued her career in Greece and Puerto Rico. Using her improved skills, she was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award this season in Puerto Rico Women's Volleyball (LVSF).
Rashem stated, "The past is the past. I wanted to come back to Korea since I left the V League. I worked hard for that determination to develop further. I will show a new version of myself. I will demonstrate more energy, a more mature and motivated self, and the fact that I am a strong player."
She added, "The technical aspects have changed. I have made efforts to upgrade many aspects, including the position and angle of my arms when hitting the ball, my approach for hitting deeply, and my foot positioning. I believe there are still areas where I am lacking. I will practice more before joining the team."
Rashem deepened her dream of returning to the V League while watching Kim Yeon-koung, known as the 'queen of volleyball', who was with Heungkuk Life. Coincidentally, after retiring, Kim Yeon-koung transformed into an advisor for Heungkuk Life and shared the joy of being selected by Heungkuk Life in front of her during the tryouts.
Rashem remarked, "I have always admired player Kim Yeon-koung. We talked often during the tryouts, and she was not only an amazing player but also easy to talk to. I asked her, 'I want to play in Korea again this time; can't we play together for even one season?'" She added, "Though we can’t play together now, it is an honor to be playing in a team with a legacy left by Kim Yeon-koung, Heungkuk Life, with the players who played alongside her."
The new head coach expressed great satisfaction with Rashem's selection. Heungkuk Life's Tomoko Yoshihara said, "We selected Rashem because she is a player with potential for future growth. I believe she will help in team play and blocking."
She continued, "Now I plan to seriously contemplate the upcoming season. I am sketching various strategies on paper, but we’ll have to see what is actually possible. I've thought of many patterns now." She promised, "Although I can't say there isn’t pressure taking over a championship team, since players like Kim Yeon-koung have left, this team is completely different from last season. I will prepare well to adapt in practice."
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