Kim Yeon-koung's invincible rise and secret is to block asphyxiation...Should I write a new record of 16 wins in a row? 3rd place Jeong Kwan-jang → 2nd place Hyundai Engineering & Construction also sharpened.
Dec 16, 2024
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Heungkuk Life is on its way to its 14th consecutive opening victory. Hyundai E&C is on the verge of breaking the record of 15 consecutive wins (based on a single season, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 season).
Heungkuk Life's greatest strength is the presence of Kim Yeon-koung, the "Volleyball Emperor". Although he is a 36-year-old veteran this year, he is leading the league by ranking sixth in scoring, No. 1 in overall offense, No. 1 in the Open, No. 1 in the Quick Open, No. 3 in the rear and No. 9 in the serve, beating numerous foreign players. Since returning to the V-League, he has been showing off his fiery offense more than ever.
Reception, which is ranked second among the Liberos, is also dominating. Heungkuk Life is the driving force behind the lead despite foreign player Tutku's somewhat insufficient destructive power.
But Kim Yeon-koung is not every season. Head coaches of other teams should also give Kim Yeon-kyung something and stop other players" tells the story.
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It ranks first overall in the blocking category with 2.75 per set. There are also three players in the top 10 individual blocking, including Tutku (3rd), Peach (5th), and Kim Soo-ji (10th). Team blocks are more common than Hyundai Engineering & Construction (2.51 per set), which has both first and second blocking (Lee Da-hyun and Yang Hyo-jin).
It is not just the strength of the tall corps that leads to Tutku (1m91), Kim Soo-ji (1m88), Peach (1m83), and Kim Yeon-koung (1m90). Volleyball circles agree that `Hungkuk's blocking is special.'
In women's volleyball, it is difficult to see a three-man blocker unless the direction of the attack is completely exposed. However, Heungkuk Life is different this season. From time to time, three blockers pressure the opponent's striker, and the defensive organization that keeps the vacancy is also faithful. The effect of the opponent's mistakes is also great. Hyundai Engineering & Construction Lee Da-hyun said, `The movement of the blocker according to the position of the first ball, the defensive system fits like a cogwheel.'
This is more powerful in the game. When the ace (mainly a foreign player) succeeds in counterattack, the flow of the game changes and the atmosphere heats up. On the other hand, the feeling of despondency when the hard-picked ball is blocked is further doubled.
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Heungkuk Life is now facing its greatest crisis. It has already surpassed the club record of 13 consecutive wins. But the schedule is exquisite. He will challenge the third-ranked Jeong Kwan-jang on the 17th to record consecutive wins and the second-ranked Hyundai Engineering & Construction on the 20th to set a new record.
Both teams are as powerful, powerful, and blocking as Heungkuk Life Insurance, but their tendencies are slightly different. Jeong Kwan-jang started the season this year with the risk of using foreign player Bukrich as an outside heater (OH). Coach Ko Hee-jin's winning move was a wonderful success. As Bukirich, who is 1m 98, finds stability, he has a powerful left-right double gun called Bukirich-Mega.
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The articles of association are also ranked third in the blocking category with an average of 2.41 per set. Earlier, they lost both games to Heungkuk Life Insurance, but Yeom Hye-sun and Mega missed one game each. It's the first time we've faced each other with 'full strength'.
In the case of Heungkuk Life Insurance's Jung Yoon-joo, who burst his potential this season, he has good offense, but he is disappointed in defense. So far, Kim Yeon-kyung and Shin Yeon-kyung's all-time receiving line has covered Jung Yoon-joo's weaknesses well. The key is how much Jeong Kwan-jang, who boasts the league's best strong serve, will shake Heungkuk Life's receiving.
Jeong Kwan-jang came to Incheon early to prepare for the Heungkuk Life War. Coach Ko Hee-jin said, `There is no such thing as customized training for a specific team. Every game is the same," he said, emphasizing his composure. Then "Volleyball has no draw. I just try my best to win. I want to play a great game that fans would like" conveyed his intentions.
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There is also an injury issue. Jung Ji-yoon was injured in the road construction match on the 15th. Training is expected to be disrupted ahead of the Heungkuk Life Insurance match. It is still unclear whether the main libero Kim Yeon-kyeon, who was injured earlier, will play in the match against Heungkuk Life Insurance.
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Director Kang Sung-hyung of Hyundai Engineering & Construction said, `I thought our record would last several years…After smiling ", it is important for the team to have such a record. It's good if Jeong Kwan-jang blocks it, but if we don't, we want to block it as much as a new record" made no secret of his intentions.
lunarfly@sportschosun.com
