'Rookie coach' Kim Yeon-koung helped setter Kim Na-yeon, who had retired from professional volleyball, return to the pro ranks.
Kim Na-yeon will play today (25) at Gimcheon Indoor Gymnasium in the JIN AIR 2025-2026 V-League women's match against Korea Expressway Corporation.
Veteran Na-yeon, who showed her presence as a setter on MBC's "The Wonder Coach," will begin her second volleyball career wearing the Heungkuk Life uniform. Heungkuk Life on the 24th announced, "On the 24th we signed veteran setter Na-yeon. She will bring new changes to team operations for the 2025-26 season."
Heungkuk Life said it signed experienced player Na-yeon to secure stability in the setter position this season. The club expects that Na-yeon's addition will further strengthen the balance of match management.
Na-yeon is a veteran setter who debuted in the 2011-12 season and played on the professional stage through the 2023-24 season. He had been the team's anchor with steady ball distribution and match coordination skills, and recently proved her game sense again by appearing as the starting setter for Team Wonder Dogs on MBC's volleyball variety show "The Wonder Coach," which is currently airing.
Na-yeon, who completed a medical test on the 23rd, will join the team at the arena from the road corporation match on the 25th to take part in team training and games. Heungkuk Life expects Na-yeon to quickly blend into the team's tactics and play an important role this season.
Na-yeon said, "I am grateful to Heungkuk Life volleyball team for giving me the chance to stand on the pro stage again. I will be a setter who helps the team under the guidance of the coach and coaching staff."
Coach Yoshihara said, "I emphasize that the team should develop every game this season. The addition of veteran Na-yeon will greatly help increase the stability of the setter unit. I expect it will have a positive impact on the growth of the squad."
A Heungkuk Life official said, "Na-yeon is a player with both experience and game-management ability. We believe the team's strength will be further enhanced through harmony in the setter unit."
Meanwhile, "The Wonder Coach" ranked No. 1 overall on Sunday in the 4th episode 2049 ratings and has been at the center of attention, and in the Good Data Corporation's "Pundex Report: K-content competitiveness analysis" it ranked No. 1 in TV-OTT non-drama buzz for the third week of Oct., and Kim Yeon-koung ranked No. 1 in cast buzz, continuing its hot popularity.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by MBC
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