“It’s exciting and fun. I told (Kim Ho-cheol) ‘I want to attack a lot,’ and he came and told me to do as much as I wanted.”
This year marks the sixth year since her debut. Lee Ju-ah, dubbed “Korea University MB,” has changed her uniform. Lee Ju-ah is tall standing at 1 meter 85 meters and strong elasticity. Leaving Heungkuk Life Insurance, which she has played since joining the V-League as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Lee has been playing for IBK Industrial Bank since the Tongyeong Dodram Cup this season.
Industrial Bank of Korea head coach Kim Ho-cheol personally persuaded Lee Ju-ah. “Until last season, we had a big portion of blocking in the practice process. I was shaken by the coach’s words, ‘You can attack as much as you want,'” Lee said with a big smile. “Now it’s my turn to pay back. I’m looking forward to this season.”
Coach Kim Ho-cheol expressed regret throughout the last season, saying, “The central attack is lacking.” Kim Hee-jin suffered from injuries and lasted the season with two players, Choi Jung-min and Kim Hyun-jung, and although Choi Jung-min ranked first in blocking, the proportion of offense was low.
It is different this year. The main setter has been changed from Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Phon Thong, which used to be his strength in fast and sensuous fingertips, to Chen Xintong of China, which is slower but more stable. He sent Kim Hyun-jung, but instead recruited Lee Ju-ah as an FA and Kim Chae-yeon as a trade.
Chen Shintong likes Korean dramas and is familiar with Korean language. She is not good enough to communicate skillfully during games, but has adapted to her team life much faster than Pawn. She is also good at English and can communicate well with Apogit Victoria. Another advantage is that she is a tall setter of 1 meter 78.
However, they are still in the process of working together. Their teamwork is not smooth until the World Cup. The key to this season is how each other’s strengths will be displayed. As Lee was recruited to strengthen central attack, making good use of Lee’s fast attack and mobile attack will be important for the team’s performance this season. Of course, the synergy of Choi Jeong-min and Lee Ju-ah, the top blockers, and Lee Ju-ah, the fourth, are in the same team.
He signed a three-year contract worth 1.2 billion won (1.1 million U.S. dollars) to wear the Industrial Bank of Korea uniform. The transfer was recorded as the first transfer by a player born in the 2000s in the history of the V-League. Kim Yeon-koung, “Volleyball Emperor” and her former teammates and coaches also gave her encouragement by saying, “Don’t get hurt and do well.” Recalling that Heungkuk is a team full of passion inside the court, Lee said, “The atmosphere is different for Industrial Bank of Korea. First of all, it’s not easy to keep up with the coach’s energy.”
Heungkuk Life was a team of veterans including Kim Yeon-koung. Other than the older sisters such as Kim Yeon-koung, Kim Hae-ran, Kim Su-ji and Kim Mi-yeon, Kim Da-sol, Lee Won-jung, and Do Soo-bin were all older than Lee Ju-ah.
They are different at the Industrial Bank of Korea. They should play the role of a mid-level coordinator between veteran players and young players. Fortunately, they have close friendship with Hwang Min-kyung, Lee So-young and Kim Hee-jin, whom they have built up frequently in the national team since their debut. “Lee Joo-ah, who was a little girl, has now become a key player leading the team,” Lee said.
So far, I’m enjoying myself. “When I was in a booming country, I was always the youngest. All I had to do was follow the sisters. Now I’ve changed. Honestly, I feel a bit of pressure,” he said. “I’m going to enjoy that responsibility in the court. If I lead the team well in the middle, our team will produce good results.”
The Industrial Bank of Korea is preparing for an ambitious new season by recruiting Lee So-young and Lee Ju-ah all at once this year. The year is reminiscent of the Warring States era, with Yang Hyo-jin’s “Defending Champion” Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Kim Yeon-kyung’s Heungkuk Life Insurance, Korea Expressway Corporation that recruited Kang So-hwi, Jeong Kwan-jang, who was the eye of a sensation last year, and Pepper Savings Bank and GS Caltex.
“I’m really looking forward to this season. I feel so confident in the defense. I didn’t come alone, but I got used to it quickly because I came with Kim Chae-yeon,” Lee said. “I can hear Hwang Min-kyung’s voice really loudly even during games.” “I miss her nagging. I hope she plays healthy throughout this season.” 먹튀검증
She is also a “friend” who takes care of Victoria in detail. “Vicky (Victoria) must be lonely. I’m trying my best to help her,” Lee said with a big smile
“Coach Kim Ho-chul is very active even during games. He has a lot of orders. Of course, his goal this year is to win. I hope all the players can come together and achieve it.”
