Jung Ji-yoon was absent due to a back injury, but there was no gap. Even Letizia Moma Vasoko (registered name Moma) had pain in her knee, but Hyundai Engineering & Construction did not shake. It waited a long time. Ko Ye-rim returned.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction won a 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-16) victory over Heungkuk Life Insurance in the third round of the Dodram 2024-2025 V-League Women’s Division at Suwon Indoor Gymnasium on the 20th.
Ko Ye-rim stepped on the court in place of Jeong Ji-yoon, exerting strong presence. The two teams scored the most 13 points, pushing the giant battleship Heungkuk Life to a corner. Although the team’s attack share was not that high at 23.16 percent, it showed off its ability as a troubleshooter who never misses an opportunity. Ko’s attack success rate stood at 50.00 percent on the day.
After the game, Ko said, “I had fun playing volleyball for the first time in a long time. My strengths came out well, and I was able to maintain my tension well.”
In his first start of the season, the opponent was Heungkuk Life Insurance Co., the leader of the team. In addition, Jung Ji-yoon was absent, and his mother was not in normal condition. The coach’s eyes were desperate for Ko Ye-rim.
Ko Ye-rim said, “I was a little nervous at first. I felt a good sense of tension. I entered the stadium with the idea of not regretting it.”
When his team was leading 14-12 in the first set, Ko connected Kim Da-in’s toss to score a quick open to secure her serve. The serve time that started afterwards did not end until the set ended. Ko displayed a whopping 10 consecutive serves.
“I started serving with an important score. My opponent has a good receiving line, but my score is getting bigger and bigger,” Ko said with a satisfied face. “My serve worked better than I expected, which was both embarrassing and fun.”
Ko Ye-rim continued, “I haven’t counted the number of serve hits more than 10 times in a row, but I think this will be the first time.”
After the 2022-23 season, Ko took the operating table and put knives on both knees. As it was such a big surgery, it was hard to guarantee a 100 percent recovery. However, he managed to return to the team in the second half of last season after painstaking efforts, and since then, he has been exercising both training and rehabilitation at the same time to boost his physical stamina. He has been constantly replacing players this season as well, and slowly checked out the timing.
In the meantime, an opportunity came in a difficult situation for the team, and Ko Ye-rim did not miss it. He said, “After the surgery, I had enough rehabilitation period. I’ve made my body well enough. However, because I didn’t have much time to play, my rhythm was broken,” and “I had a good rhythm today,” signaling a perfect return.
“Since (the late) Yerim had knee surgery, we have continued to strengthen and prepare for it. Seeing that he is doing it today, he seems to be back to his stable form. I’m glad to hear that.”
It is known that Jung Ji-yoon’s return is after the All-Star Game break. Ko Ye-rim is expected to play the rest of the first half. He said, “It would be a lie to say that there is no pressure. I will do as I practiced, as I prepared.” 메이저놀이터
Ko Ye-rim, who joined the Korea Expressway Corporation as the second overall pick in the 2013 V-League Women’s Rookie Draft, has already entered the veteran ranks at the age of 30.
“Before, I could jump just by tying my shoelaces. It takes some time to warm up now,” Ko said with a chuckle.
At the end of this season, Ko will become a free agent. “I let go of my greed to be a free agent. If I keep thinking about it, I can’t get along with the rhythm. I will just show them when I have the chance and do my best in the process of preparing for the event,” he said.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction won the title for the first time in 13 years last season. The team made another long journey this season without losing power. “The members are the same as last season. We know each other well,” Ko said. “Of course, my goal is to win.”
Meanwhile, Hyundai Engineering & Construction won the match to post 12 wins and four losses and 37 points. The team narrowed the gap to three with top-ranked Heungkuk Life Insurance, which had remained flat at 40 points (14 wins and two losses), fueling competition to lead the team.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which defeated Heungkuk Life Insurance following Korea Expressway Corporation, aims to win three consecutive games against GS Caltex in Jangchung expedition on the 25th.
