Kim Yeon-koung (36) of Heungkuk Life Insurance, who won three points dramatically to save her unified victory for the first time in 17 years. Then, is there any change in her next season.
Heungkuk Life Insurance won 3-0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-20) in an away game against Hyundai Engineering & Construction in the sixth round of the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League at Suwon Indoor Gymnasium on the 12th.
Heungkuk Life Insurance healed the shock loss against Pepper Savings Bank on the 8th and continued its glimmer of hope for the top spot in the regular league. It recorded 27 wins and 8 losses (76 points) in the season, narrowing the gap with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to one point. It properly poured cold water on Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which was aiming for a home victory.
Kim Yeon-koung, who scored 16 points (45.45%, attack success rate) the second-largest in her team, told numerous reporters after the match, "I guess everyone came to cover Hyundai Engineering & Construction," adding, "I was shocked since the last Pepper Savings Bank match, and the atmosphere was so bad, but I thought today's match was important. If I lose, I knew that Hyundai Engineering & Construction will secure the top spot. I was concentrating because I was going to meet them in spring volleyball, but I got three points."
On this day, Heungkuk Life's attack distribution was ideal for the first time in a long time. With 21 points for Willow, 16 points for Kim Yeon-koung and 14 points for Raina, the triangle formation's even attack served as the driving force for victory.
"It would have been great if we continue as we did today, but it's not that easy," Kim said. "All the players did well in their respective positions in today's match, and Kim Soo-ji made a deuce block. I will be nervous when I go to the playoffs and the championship game, so I will talk with the players about how to overcome that."
"I had a hard time recovering from the previous defeat. It was also difficult on the way to the accommodation. The next day's training was not very good, but the coach pushed me to work hard. I told the players that I need to show them this game while thinking about the game and reflecting on it, but I'm glad they showed it well today," he added.
He also didn't forget to greet the away fans who contributed to the crowd. Kim Yeon-kyung said, "At first, I was confused because there weren't many spectators, but everyone came after work. I saw more of our fans, and I felt more encouraged. You cheered me on and I feel really good to show you the results."
Heungkuk Life Insurance suffered a shock 1-3 defeat against Pepper Savings Bank in the enemy territory on the 8th. The next day, Hyundai Engineering & Construction defeated IBK Industrial Bank 3-0, virtually eliminating its hope for No. 1 ranking in the regular league. However, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which aimed to win at home on the day, regained the lead by garnering three valuable points.
Of course, Hyundai Engineering & Construction is still in an advantageous position, but if Heungkuk Life Insurance beats GS Caltex at home on the 15th, Hyundai E&C will have no choice but to go on an away road to Gwangju on the 16th under great pressure. In particular, if Hyundai E&C wins three points against GS Caltex, it must win three points to go directly to the championship game.
"We have to play first, so it's important to play well. Being good means not only winning, but also bringing in three points. That way, you have more chances," Kim said. "We have to do our best to win and bring in three points. Pepper Savings Bank, including Yasmin and Park Jeong-ah, was in good condition." 스포츠중계
Kim, who returned to Korea in the 2020-2021 season after a long overseas career, has yet to win the trophy. She ranked second in the regular season in the first season, advanced to the championship game through the playoffs, and lost to GS Caltex with three losses. She went straight to the championship game as the top in the regular season in the 2022-2023 season, but fell victim to the Korea Expressway Corporation's miracle upset victory. Kim had originally planned to retire after the end of last season, but decided to extend her active career to win the championship.
In the 2023-2024 season, 36 games will be completed per team. "I feel physically tired. I feel a bit more tired now that I am at the end. But this is an excuse, not a relaxed one," Kim said. "We have one more game left, and it is important to maintain good condition regardless of whether it is a playoff or a championship game."
The female volleyball court picked up three points on the previous day, saving her victory for the first time in 17 years since the 2006-2007 season. Will there be any change in her next season? "I am thinking about it. I will not comment yet," Kim said.
