‘Volleyball Empress’ Kim Yeon-kyung (35, Heungkuk Life Insurance) was frustrated on the brink of winning last season. Kim Yeon-kyung, who returned to the Korean stage after playing in overseas leagues, led the team to victory in the V-League regular season in the 2022-23 season. However, they lost to Korea Expressway Corporation in the championship match and failed to win the championship.
Even though Kim Yeon-kyung had already won many league titles, she was still desperate to win. He qualified as a free agent (FA) immediately after last season and hinted at a transfer, saying, “I will go to a team that can win.”
However, Kim Yeon-kyung chose to remain at Heungkuk Life Insurance. This is because the club promised full support to strengthen its power. As part of this, Heungkuk Life Insurance recruited middle blocker (center) Kim Su-ji (36) as a free agent. Heungkuk Life Insurance, which took second place in last year’s championship match due to a middle blocker battle,스포츠토토 strengthened its power by recruiting veteran middle blocker Kim Su-ji, a member of the national team. The intention is to aim for the championship with the ‘veteran duo’ consisting of Kim Yeon-kyung and Kim Su-ji.
The two players are classmates who played together at Wongok Middle School and Hanil Jeonsan Girls’ High School (Hanbom High School). Since they are close friends and know each other very well, a synergy effect can be expected not only in strengthening power but also in psychological aspects. Kim Yeon-kyung welcomed the addition of Kim Su-ji, saying, “We missed the combined championship last year, so we needed to strengthen our power. (Kim) Su-ji’s arrival will give strength to the team.” Kim Su-ji also looked forward to working together, saying, “It’s good to have a friend on the team who I can rely on comfortably.”
I have even more affection for him because he is my best friend whom I met at the end of my playing career. The two players are now in their mid to late 30s. He has already given up his Taegeuk badge and has entered the twilight of his professional career. Kim Yeon-kyung was embroiled in rumors of her retirement last year when she opened up about her retirement concerns. I have concerns that I can’t easily share with anyone, but now I have a close friend with whom I can talk comfortably. Kim Yeon-kyung said, “I’m at an age where it won’t be strange if I retire. We both have concerns. These days, we talk about that (retirement) a lot,” and said she and Kim Su-ji are solving their concerns together. But for now, I just want to focus on the new season, playing with my friends for the first time. Kim Su-ji pledged, “Many people are looking forward to it. We will do our best to live up to their expectations. There may be ups and downs, but we will do what we can.” Kim Yeon-kyung also strengthened her resolve for the new season, saying, “I want to wear one more star (win) heavily. I will work hard to win the overall championship.”
