It’s even more regrettable if you think it’s the end of ‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (35, Heungkuk Life Insurance). Heungkuk Life Insurance was in danger of being humiliated by a reverse sweep by holding both the first and second games in the championship match for the first time in the history of the V-League.
Heungkuk Life Insurance was defeated with a set score of 1-3 (25-22, 21-25, 22-25, 23-25) in the 4th game of the championship with the road construction of the ‘Dodram 2022-2023 V-League Women’s Division’ held at the Kimcheon Gymnasium on the 4th. did. Heungkuk Life Insurance had a 100% chance of winning the championship game by winning both the first and second games at home, but had to swallow the regret by giving away the third and fourth games. Heungkuk Life Insurance is the first club to lose two consecutive wins after two consecutive wins in the championship match across men and women.
Heungkuk Life Insurance coach Marcello Abondanza pointed out the mental strength of the players after the game. Head coach Avon Danza did not hide his disappointment, saying, “He can’t help but point out the mentality of the players. It was a pity that he missed the chance to the point where he wondered if he was afraid of winning.”
Kim Yeon-kyung, like coach Abondanza, did not hide her disappointment on the court. Once the game didn’t solve itself. Kim Yeon-kyung scored 24 points that day, including 4 blocking and 1 serving, but the attack success rate was only 34.55%. Considering Kim Yeon-kyung’s usual offense, it was difficult to explain that she was in the best condition. In a situation where it is difficult to expect an ace mission from Yelena, if even Kim Yeon-kyung is shaken, Heungkuk Life Insurance will have a harder time.
Looking back at the history of Heungkuk Life Insurance’s victory, there was always Kim Yeon-kyung at the moment of glory. Heungkuk Life Insurance won the championship match four times in the 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2008-2009, and 2018-2019 seasons, and Kim Yeon-kyung contributed to the championship trophy three times, excluding the 2018-2019 season when he played in an overseas league.
In the 2005-2006 season, Kim Yeon-kyung announced the birth of a volleyball empress by sweeping the Rookie of the Year Award, regular league MVP, and championship MVP, and was selected as the regular league MVP and championship MVP in the 2006-2007 season, and the championship MVP in the 2008-2009 season. Always in the spotlight. 메이저놀이터
Since 2009, Kim Yeon-kyung has played in overseas leagues such as Japan, Turkey, and China, except for the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 seasons. This is the part where you can see how big the weight of Kim Yeon-kyung, who accounts for the history of Heungkuk Life Insurance club’s championship history, is.
As in this season, Kim Yeon-kyung was the mental support of the Heungkuk Life Insurance team. The atmosphere of the team was chaotic, such as the change of manager due to the issue of intervention in the game operation by the top of the Heungkuk Life Insurance club, but Kim Yeon-kyung, as a veteran, held the center of the team well and was able to go directly to the championship match with first place in the regular league.
Since it is the season that predicted his retirement, Kim Yeon-kyung is expected to be even more desperate to win this season. During the season, Kim Yeon-kyung said, “It’s a lie if you don’t think about retirement,” and honestly confessed, “It’s up to you to think about it, but I think it’s best to put it down when you’re in a high position.” He drew a picture saying goodbye to the court with the championship trophy in his arms.
Neither Heungkuk Life Insurance nor Kim Yeon-kyung should back down as easily as Game 5 if they want to laugh. Game 5 will be held on the 6th at Incheon Samsan Gymnasium, the home stadium of Heungkuk Life Insurance.
Coach Abondanza said, “It’s unfortunate not only for Kim Yeon-kyung, but for the team as a whole,” while worrying about the players who were tired during the series, “I want to say (game 5) 50-50. There is no other way than winning at home. I just think it’s impossible. I don’t. I think the fans will help a lot.” Will Kim Yeon-kyung be able to lift the championship trophy as she hoped while receiving the warm support from her home fans? If even the 5th game is given to the road construction, Kim Yeon-kyung and Heungkuk Life Insurance will lose too much.