NMI Volleyball to host clinic with coaches from Korea on Mar. 31-Apr. 1

Just in time for spring break, the NMI Volleyball Association will host a two-day volleyball clinic from Tuesday, Mar. 31, to Wednesday, Apr. 1, bringing in coaches from South Korea to work with local players and help level up their skills.

The clinic will be at the Marianas High School Gymnasium, with sessions split by age group and gender. On March 31, the focus is on the U15 division—girls train from 10am to 12pm, followed by boys from 2 to 4pm. On April 1, the U21 division takes over with the same schedule.

One of the coaches is Seokjun Yun, a Mount Carmel School Class of 2018 graduate, former CNMI National Team member, and MCS Varsity Captain. Yun grew up playing volleyball in Saipan and knows what it’s like to have talent but few opportunities on a small island. After high school, he studied Physical Education at Yonsei University in Korea and became the manager at ASTROHIGH, an organization focused on developing youth athletes and giving them exposure to higher-level play and is now the manager.

Yun, who reached out to local organizers to set up the clinic to give back to the community, will be joined by former professional players including Hyodong Lee, president of ASTROHIGH/KORYVA, director Hyojun Lee, and coach Yuri Kim.

“Now my greatest mission is to give back to the home that raised me. I want to bring the expertise of ASTROHIGH and the mentorship of former professional players to our islands,” Yun said. “My goal is to build a lasting bridge between the CNMI and the global volleyball community, ensuring that the next generation of local athletes doesn't just dream of success—they have the tools, the coaching, and the stage to achieve it. I want to ensure the path is wider and brighter for them than it was for me.”

ASTROHIGH and KORYVA (Korea Youth and Junior Volleyball Association) focus on youth volleyball development through training, clinics, and tournaments for age groups like U15 and U18.

Over the two-day clinic, local athletes will get hands-on instruction, learn a different style of training, and gain experience that could help grow the sport of volleyball in the CNMI.