April 11, 2025 | 11:14 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The filling of the Asian foreign player quota in the South Korean Women's Volleyball League (V-League) for the 2025/2026 season has been completed. As Megawati Hangestri departed, the Red Sparks recruited a player from Thailand, Wipawee Srithong.
The Red Sparks just ended the 2024/2025 season as runner-up. However, they had to part ways with the Indonesian star, Megawati Hangestri, who rejected a new contract offer.
Megawati, who backed the team for the past two seasons, chose to return to Indonesia to take care of her mother. The position she left was immediately filled the day after she left Korea on April 10.
The Asian Quota Draft of KOVO 2025 was conducted on April 11 at the Mayfield Hotel, Seoul. Seven teams were selected from the list, preselected and arranged by KOVO (the South Korean Volleyball Association) without the presence of players. There were 45 players listed, including four who played in the previous season.
The Red Sparks secured the seventh pick in the draft. This means they made the last selection. When their turn came, the club chose Wipawee.
Wipawee is not a stranger to the V-League. She previously played for Hillstate for two seasons. In her first season, she led the team to victory, but this season they were eliminated in the playoff semifinals, after being knocked out by the Red Sparks.
Although not having statistics as brilliant as Mega's, Wipawee is a strategic choice that can provide stability to the team while adapting to the Red Sparks' style of play.
In this draft, AI Peppers had the first opportunity to make their selection. They recruited an Australian player, Stephanie Wyler. Previously, Wyler had played for GS Caltex in the previous season, but had to leave the team in the middle of the season due to a right Achilles tendon injury.
Wyler, who stands at 195 cm, scored 161 points in 10 matches before the injury. AI Peppers has struggled at the bottom of the standings this season, and her return is expected to have a significant impact.
Key draft picks summary:
1. AI Peppers: Recruits Australian player, Stephanie Wyler, who played for GS Caltex last season.
2. IBK Altos: Selects opposing spiker from Australia, Alyssa Kinkela.
3. GS Caltex: Chooses Japanese player, Reina Tokoku, who previously played for Pink Spiders in the 2023-2024 season.
4. Hillstate: Selects non-Japanese player, Jastis Yaguchi.
5. Expressway: Recruits Thai player, Thanacha, who played for them last season.
6. Pink Spiders: Retains New Zealand middle player, Anilis Pitzi.
7. Red Sparks: Chooses Wipawee Srithong, who strengthened Hillstate last season.
The newly recruited Asian quota players for the upcoming season will receive an annual salary of US$120,000, while players renewing their contracts will receive US$150,000.
Editor's Choice: Megawati Hangestri Bids Farewell to Red Sparks After Two Remarkable Seasons
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