By Brooke Rundle

With the 2016 Olympic Games less than 100 days away, the American Sports Center (ASC) in Anaheim, California, is buzzing with intensity. As the U.S. men’s and women’s national volleyball teams prepare for Rio, there was another international volleyball showdown heating up the gym just a few courts away. Rosters for the Korean Volleyball Federation’s highly sought-after professional women’s league were finalized in an intensive three-day tryout from April 27-29, 2016.

The Korean Volleyball Federation’s “V-League" consists of six women’s teams and seven men’s team. These squads compete against one another in front of thousands of fans across Korea over a grueling eight-month season without holidays. The payoff is a big one, however. Every female foreign player receives $150,000 for the season, plus bonuses for victories and playoff performances. Their contract also includes housing for the season and round-trip plane tickets for the athlete and two family members.

Each women’s team in the V-League is limited to signing only one foreign player from a NORCECA country member (USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Canada, Cuba and Mexico). Of the 51 players who applied for the draft, only 24 were invited to attend the tryout in California. Some players couldn’t due to federation and/or Visa restrictions, and alternates from the U.S. took a few of those slots, bringing the total player count to 23 on tryout day. With only six spots for foreigners available in the league, the tryout was a competitive battleground. 

To showcase player talent, tryout organizers split the women into teams of six for multiple matches while over 30 Korean coaches and team managers assessed from the sidelines. Players were asked to hit from different positions to test their skills. Only middle blockers, outside hitters and opposites were considered for contracts. 

The teams announced player selections at on April 29. The player signings took place in a formal banquet hall on the final evening of the tryout. Tim Kelly—owner of Bring It Promotions, which assisted with the event organization—said it was, “a wonderful opportunity for these athletes, even for those that don’t get drafted. To spend three days with 22 other players of this caliber, enjoying meals and a nice hotel together, hearing battle stories from Europe [from the veteran players] and getting to really focus on playing professionally is something that is a perfect launching pad for many of their careers.”

After careful evaluation, two teams opted to renew their existing contracts with their foreign players from last season. Emily Hartong, an outside from the University of Hawaii, re-signed with defending champion Hyundai E&C Hillstate, and Leslie Cikra, a right-side hitter from the University of Tennessee, re-signed with Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass. 

In addition to signing the two returners, four new players were selected from the tryout pool. Samantha Middleborn, a middle blocker from Cal State San Bernardino, signed with KGC Pro Volleyball Club. Tabitha Love, an opposite for the Canadian national team and a member of the 2011 NCAA champion UCLA squad, signed to Heungkuk Life Insurance Pink Spiders. Alexa Gray, an outside from BYU signed with GS Caltex Seoul Kixx, and Madison Kingdon, an outside from University of Arizona, signed with IBK Altos. 

“I was honored to [be] picked to even compete in the tryouts, and a big thanks to my agents for pushing me to go,” said Middleborn. “I had a lot of fun competing with the girls over the three days we spent training hard and giving our best. Everything was handled very professionally and I’m excited to start my new season for KOVO and for KGC Pro Volleyball Club.”

Players are required to report for preseason in Korea on Aug. 1, 2016. Competition will then kick off in October and playoffs wrap up at the end of April.  To get season updates or more information on the V-League, visit the KOVO website.

Brooke Rundle is the author and editor of Bring It USA Live, an online international volleyball and travel publication. She’s also the author of Headstrong: The ultimate guide to reducing lapses in concentration, building confidence and finding your zone on the volleyball court.