The Emperor is gone...If the master in charge of rebuilding the unified winning team, Korean 女 volleyball, and generational change goes well...

Apr 13, 2025

Director Tomoko Yoshihara Heungkuk Life Insurance Co. Photo courtesy =KOVO

"I want to show you exciting volleyball."

Heungkuk Life's Pink Spiders, who won the women's volleyball unified title in six years. There was not much time to enjoy joy.

'Volleyball Emperor' Kim Yeon-koung left the court at the end of this season. He still showed his best performance in both attack and defense, ranking second in attack success rate (46.03%) and receiving efficiency (41.22%) in the regular league. In the championship match, he also became MVP with 133 points and an attack success rate of 46.31%.

5th volleyball V-League women's championship match at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on the 8th. Heungkuk Life Insurance won the championship by winning the articles of association. Heungkuk Life athletes sharing the joy of winning. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.04.08/

For Heungkuk Life, the next season depends on how much it fills the gap of Kim Yeon-kyung, who has been at the center of the team.

In the midst of a big task, the head coach has also changed. Coach Marcello Avondaza left the team at the end of the season. Heungkuk Life has appointed Japanese master Tomoko Yoshihara as its new head coach.

Yoshihara served as the head coach of Japan's V JT Marbles from 2015 to 2024, leading to two league wins and three runner-up finishes in nine seasons. He led his team to promotion to the top division in the 2015-16 season and was recognized for his leadership by setting a record of winning the regular league in the 2023-24 season.

As for the background of the appointment of the coach, Heungkuk Life Insurance said, "After Kim Yeon-kyung's retirement, it is time to build a new team color and reorganize its power through generational change. Coach Yoshihara, who has abundant leadership experience and communication skills, is the right person to lead the team's leap forward.", he explained.

Coach Yoshihara made his first public appearance in the Asian quarter draft on the 11th. "I was nervous because it was my first time, but it was good to be able to understand the situation of other teams." he said in his first official position.

A match between Heungkuk Life Insurance and Jeong Kwan-jang at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on the 12th. Heungkuk Life's Jung Yoon-joo and Peach are cheering after successful blocking. Incheon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.11.12/

Heungkuk Life Insurance re-signed Anilis Fitch (registered name Fitch), who played with him last year before the draft.

Fitch has performed well in 34 games this year, ranking second in blocking (0.820) per set and second in mobile attack success rate (52.96%).

Yoshihara said, "Pitch is capable of hard work and is excellent as a team player. I still imagine it, but I think he is a player who communicates well in terms of personality", he explained.

Heungkuk Life is Yoshihara's first overseas leadership career. Yoshihara said, `I have been thinking that I want to be a leader in Korea. I didn't come all of a sudden. be looking forward to"I think it's a great team while watching Heungkuk Life in the 2024-2025 season."

He also pointed out the challenges that need to be solved in the future. Coach Yoshihara said "The part that can be improved is receiving," adding "It is also a task to fill the scoring gap without Kim Yeon-kyung." Increasing individual players' skills?We need to make it so that we can become a team," he stressed.

photo courtesy of Heungkuk Life

Coach Yoshihara said, `I'm glad that I was appointed as the coach of Heungkuk Life Insurance because I received a good evaluation.' `I think the Korean women's volleyball is developing. There are also challenges in generational change, but I think the level can be raised if it goes well. I will work hard to show you exciting volleyball that I can play with a little more excitement,' he said.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.