Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders' Kim Yeon-koung (37) is challenging for her last career title.
Kim Yeon-koung expressed a strong desire for the final championship victory, saying during an interview at the '2024-2025 V-League postseason media day' held at the Rivera Hotel in Seoul on the 21st, 'I will just win.'
Kim Yeon-koung, who made her professional volleyball debut with Heungkuk Life in the 2005-2006 season, has ruled as a world-class outsider hitter for an impressive 21 years until this year. After playing in various overseas leagues in Japan, Turkey, and China, Kim Yeon-koung returned to her home team Heungkuk Life for the 2020-2021 season and has continued to perform as a top league player this season. However, she announced her retirement after the end of this season. This championship match is expected to be her last title challenge.
Heungkuk Life secured the regular season championship with an overwhelming record of 27 wins and 9 losses, accumulating 81 points. From the 31st, they will face the playoff winner between Hyundai E&C and Jeonggwanjang in the championship match. Kim Yeon-koung, who successfully reached the championship match three times since returning to Korea but was thwarted at the last hurdle each time, noted, 'I feel so good to have completed the last regular season well. There is still the postseason championship match left, and if I can wrap this up well, I think I can leave without any regrets. I want to win the overall championship more than anyone.'
'I have lost weight compared to the beginning of the season, but I am gradually getting better recently,' Kim Yeon-koung revealed about her condition. 'I am raising my condition for the championship match. I could have played in yesterday's game, but there was a bit of pain in my knee, so it was decided that I would not participate and stay on the bench. I don’t think there will be any major issues for the championship match. After securing the regular season title, I have been training steadily to prepare for the championship match. I believe I can show a good performance in the championship match.'
Kim Yeon-koung won consecutive championships in her first two years after her debut. 'When I first won, I didn’t think winning was difficult. It seemed so easy that I thought it just happened. Recently, I realized that winning isn’t just about being good; various factors, including luck, must also follow. I feel it is more challenging now. I told my juniors that although we won the regular season, we cannot let our guard down before the championship match. The results in the championship match have not been good in recent years, so I will prepare well and aim for a good result this time,' she emphasized with determination.
In the playoffs, the second-place Hyundai E&C (21 wins, 15 losses, 66 points) will clash with the third-place Jeonggwanjang (23 wins, 13 losses, 64 points). The winning team from the playoffs will meet Heungkuk Life in the championship match. When asked which team she would like to face in the finals, Kim Yeon-koung said, 'It’s hard to pick just one team. Both have distinct strengths and weaknesses. I don’t think there will be an easy opponent no matter which team comes up, so I am preparing. I hope the playoffs go to the third game. I hope we can fill it with five sets, five sets, five sets. I did that last year, and it was not easy. You will know once you experience it,' she chuckled.
There’s a saying that in a short-term contest, one standout player is essential for victory. Kim Yeon-koung noted, 'Honestly, I’ve thought about it a bit in advance. I considered picking Jung Yoon-joo or Tutku, but I think Lee Go-eun needs to really shine. I’m sure everyone thought that I would choose Jung Yoon-joo, but I went for a reversal. I believe Lee Go-eun will perform well as a setter.'
'Actually, there are a lot of players I hope will perform well,' Kim Yeon-koung said, laughing, 'I hope all the players can shine. I hope I can shine a little too.' She added, 'I am not thinking about personal MVP; I have received enough awards. I am only focused on team victory. If I do well, won’t I also receive MVP?' reiterating her emphasis on winning.
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