"I want to attack a lot." Kim Yeon-kyung is no longer the "youngest" as a single person.

Oct 03, 2024

Lee Ju-ah at the interview

사진제공=KOVO

"It's exciting and fun. I asked the director 'I wanted to attack a lot, and he came and told me to do as much as I wanted."

It's been 6 years since our debut. 'National University MB' Lee Ju-ah changed her uniform. Lee Ju-ah is a player with a height of 1m85 and good elasticity. Leaving Heungkuk Life Insurance, which has played since entering the V-League as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, he has been playing for IBK Industrial Bank since the Tongyeong Dodram Cup this season.

Kim Ho-chul, director of the Industrial Bank of Korea, came forward and persuaded Lee Joo-ah. Lee Ju-ah "Until last season, the proportion of blocking was also large in the practice process. I was shaken by the coach's remarks that 'You can attack as much as you want' and "In practice now, the proportion of central attacks is also large." Now it's my turn to repay you. Expectations are high," he said with a big smile.

Coach Kim Ho-chul expressed regret throughout the last season, saying, `Lack of central offense.' 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 attack was heavily dependent on foreign Abecrombie.

This year is different. The main setter was changed from Phon Phun (Thailand), where fast and sensuous fingertip toss was a strength, to Chen Shintong (China), which is slower but more stable. He sent Kim Hyun-jung, but instead, he recruited Lee Joo-ah as an FA and Kim Chae-yeon as a trade.

Lee Joo-ah cheering with Kim Hee-jin (right). Photo courtesy =KOVO

Chen Shintong likes Korean dramas and is used to Korean. He is not yet capable of communicating well during the game, but he has adapted to his team life much faster than Pawn. He is good at English and communicates well with Apogit Victoria. Another advantage is that he is a tall setter of 1m78.

However, it is still in the process of matching hands. It's not smooth until the cup. The key is how the breathing that I've cleared up now will be displayed in the season. In particular, as Lee Joo-ah was recruited to strengthen the central attack, it is expected that making good use of Lee Joo-ah's fast attack and mobile attack will be important for this season's performance. Of course, the synergy of blocking No. 1 (Choi Jung-min) and No. 4 (Lee Joo-ah) in one team cannot be ignored.

He signed a three-year contract worth 1.2 billion won and wore an Industrial Bank of Korea uniform. It was recorded as the first transfer of a player born in the 2000s in the V League history. The 'Volleyball Emperor' Kim Yeon-kyung, his former team seniors and juniors, and the coaches also gave enthusiastic encouragement, saying, 'Don't get hurt and do well'. Lee Ju-ah recalled that "Hungkuk is a really passionate team in the court" and that "The Industrial Bank of Korea has a different atmosphere again." First of all, it's not easy to keep up with the director's energy."

Hwang Min-kyung (right) and cheering Lee Joo-ah. Photo courtesy =KOVO

So far, I'm just having fun. He said "I was always the youngest when I was in the country of prosperity. All I had to do was follow the sisters. It's different now. Honestly, it's a little bit of a burden, but "I'm trying to enjoy the responsibility on the court. If I lead well in the middle, our team will perform well, so..." he smiled. The Industrial Bank of Korea expects Lee Ju-ah to show a presence worthy of her salary.

Heungkuk Life was a team of veterans, including Kim Yeon-koung. In addition to older sisters such as Kim Yeon-kyung, 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 Joo-ah.

It is different in Industrial Bank of Korea. With a veteran??It should play a mid-range role in coordinating between players. Fortunately, he has a close relationship with his sisters such as Hwang Min-kyung, Lee So-young, and Kim Hee-jin, who have been frequently encountered by the national team since their debut. Lee So-young welcomed, saying "(Lee) Joo-ah, who was a little girl, is now the main player leading the team."

The Industrial Bank of Korea is preparing for an ambitious new season by recruiting Lee So-young and Lee Ju-ah at once this year. It is a year reminiscent of the Spring and Autumn Warring States era, from Hyundai Engineering & Construction to 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, which have changed dramatically.

사진제공=KOVO

Lee Ju-ah "It's a really anticipated season. It's very reassuring to have Lee So-young and Hwang Min-kyung in the back. Kim Chae-won is also really good at defense. I didn't come alone. I got used to it quickly because I came with Chaeyeon"In particular, Hwang Min-kyung's voice can be heard really loudly even during the game," he stressed. Then "I miss Minkyung's nagging." I hope you play healthy throughout this season," he added.

He is also a "friend" who takes care of Victoria, who is the same age. Lee Ju-ah said "Vicky (Victoria) must have loneliness. I'm trying hard to help."

"Coach Kim Ho-chul is very active even during the game. There are a lot of orders. Of course, my goal this year is to win. The team atmosphere is really good. If all the players are united, I think it's a goal that can be achieved."

lunarfly@sportschosun.com

"I want to attack a lot." Kim Yeon-kyung is no longer the "youngest" as a single person.

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