Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders' Kim Yeon-koung (37) is truly challenging for the championship title for the last time.
Heungkuk Life achieved a shutout victory with a set score of 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-19) against the Jungkwanjang Red Sparks in the first match of the 'Dodram 2024-2025 V-League' championship final held at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium on the 31st of last month.
Kim Yeon-koung recorded 16 points (attack success rate of 60.9%), leading the team in scoring. Having announced her retirement from active play after this season, Kim Yeon-koung took a crucial step toward victory in the first match of her final title challenge.
Debuting in professional volleyball with Heungkuk Life in the 2005-2006 season, Kim Yeon-koung has dominated as a world-class outside hitter for an impressive 21 years until this year. After excelling in various overseas leagues in Japan, Turkey, and China, Kim Yeon-koung returned to her former team, Heungkuk Life, in the 2020-2021 season and has performed at a league-leading level up until this season. However, she announced her retirement after this season. This championship final is expected to be her last title challenge.
Although Kim Yeon-koung successfully reached the championship final three times since returning to Korea, she has stumbled at the last hurdle each time, making this her final title challenge. After a crucial victory in the first match, Kim Yeon-koung said in an interview, “I prepared with the determination to show the fans a winning performance. It felt amazing to play and win in front of a packed crowd of 5,821. I’ve been working hard on my physical condition during the break and preparing step by step, so I’m glad that those efforts paid off with the win.”
In the first set, Kim Yeon-koung, who had a low attack share, began to increase it significantly from the second set, ultimately scoring the most points and finishing the match. Kim Yeon-koung explained, “It wasn’t a strategy that I specifically prepared. I looked at the opponent's lineup and weaknesses and prepared accordingly. I think that led to the outcome. In the second and third sets, I had many attacking opportunities because of the situation. It seems the things I prepared worked out well.”
Kim Yeon-koung, who has taken a step closer to her final title challenge, remarked, “I’m not placing too much significance on this. I’m just thinking about winning, so it hasn’t sunk in yet.” She added, “I think many people are misunderstanding because I’ve done the last dance too many times. I did the national team last dance and had my late retirement ceremony, which has led to frequent issues regarding my retirement, prompting people to ask, ‘Is it still not over?’ I want to say that it will be over soon.”
In attendance to witness Kim Yeon-koung's final championship final were Park Jeong-a and Han Da-hye (both from Pepper Savings Bank), Kim Hee-jin (IBK Industrial Bank), and Han Song-i, among others. Kim Yeon-koung humorously said, “I think I got a great seat. Shouldn't the fans be sitting there?” and expressed her gratitude by stating, “It isn't easy to come watch after a disappointing finish to the season, so I appreciate you coming to support.” She added with a smile, “If we’re attributing meaning, perhaps it’s because this is my last time.”
Kim Yeon-koung, who said, “I didn't feel that Jungkwanjang was fatigued,” noted, “Perhaps because there are many younger players at Jungkwanjang, I think they’re still okay. I will prepare well for the second and third matches based on the shortcomings from today,” and added, “I’m sorry to the fans, but I want to finish it in the third match. I believe there will be nothing after the third match, and I will approach the game with that mindset.”
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