Volleyball striker Pham Thi Yen of the High Command of Information Club.

The strong and determined striker of the national volleyball team looks so different off the court that it is difficult to recognize her, and she knows it.

Looking very chic and hip, Yen explains that as the only girl in a family with four children, she has been doted on by the rest of the family, and she has had beautiful clothes since a young age.

She loved to get dressed to go out as a child, and that has not changed. “I have more skirts than anyone else on the volleyball team. I don’t have many chances to wear them, but I like to have a lot of skirts.”

In her free time, Yen says, she likes staying in her room busying herself with her clothes, making changes to old ones. Most of her clothes are of her own design, and she freely dispenses advice to her friends on what to wear.

She is obviously interested in fashion, but if someone asks why she does not pursue a career as a fashion designer or even retail fashionable clothes, she is very clear about her choice. “Fashion is something to make me feel relaxed and confident when going out. I have never thought I would quit volleyball. My dream is to become a volleyball instructor.”

Right choice

Yen maintains her career choice was the right one although her parents and grandmother were unhappy for a long time.

“When I was 14, some people in the neighborhood advised me to join the province’s female volleyball team.

“At first, some teachers advised me not to play the sport because they had never seen me show a talent for it. But I went to try it out and after a while, I was admitted to the provincial team.”

However, her happiness was unhappiness for her family because they didn’t want her to suffer hardship.

Yen says she planned to make her family proud of her by becoming successful. Now, after more than 10 years of playing volleyball, Yen has won several prizes and titles through hard work.

Now she is very happy because her grandmother is very proud of her. “It makes me very pleased.”

Perseverance

Her passion for volleyball has been very strong for over a decade although she has suffered several injuries.

“When we love something, all the difficulties turn out to be easier and I think I have benefited a lot from the sport.”

Yen once suffered a knee injury in 2007 and was admitted to hospital but had a nice time there.

“I didn’t tell my family I was in the hospital. I didn’t have family members with me, but many fans recognized me and they took good care of me. Some would fan me, others massaged my leg,” Yen says.

She has several good relationships now, thanks to volleyball. Fans that she has never met send her SMS messages or call or write to her, forming close friendships.

“Last year, a boy sent a friendly SMS. After we talked several times, he has become a close friend, always encourages me to play well and we meet to talk when we have the time.”

For Yen, these are “very meaningful gifts” that the challenging sport has given her.

At 25, she is embarrassed when asked about romance. “Some people have made proposals but I think they have seen the Yen on the court and think they love me.”

She wants to dedicate herself to volleyball for a few more years before thinking of a family of her own.

Reported by Linh Anh