'World-class' Kim Yeon-koung (37) has made a surprise transformation into a coach.

The 'UA NEXT 2025,' a collaboration between Under Armour and the KYK Foundation (Kim Yeon-koung Foundation), was held on the 16th and 17th at the Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium. 'UA NEXT' is a program that selects youth athletes worldwide with the highest potential. Last year, 'UA NEXT 2024' was held for basketball, and this year, youth volleyball players received a valuable opportunity.

In 'UA NEXT 2025,' 20 elite high school female volleyball players from across the country were selected. Over the two days, they learned various training methods to improve their skills, from volleyball skill training to mental coaching and recovery training methods.

Under Armour provided promising players with the latest equipment, including uniforms and sneakers. The high school girl players dressed in bright uniforms, standing on the home court of Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders, looked excited as if they had become professional players.

Above all, the best benefit for the players was the chance to learn volleyball directly from 'the greatest female volleyball player ever,' Kim Yeon-koung. Kim Yeon-koung passionately coached her juniors with affection. A warm-up and recovery class conducted by former national team trainer Lee Sang-hwa and other professional trainers was also popular.

On the 17th, serious practice matches were held where the 20 participants received final evaluations. Along with Kim Yeon-koung, world-class players such as Natalia Goncharova (Russia/opposite), Jordan Larson (U.S./outside hitter), Natalia Pereira (Brazil/outside hitter), Laura Dijkema (Netherlands/setter), Inoue Kotoe (Japan/libero), and Chiaka Ogbogu (U.S./middle blocker) served as judges.

Kim Yeon-koung took on the role of head coach for the 'Under' team, facing Natalia Goncharova's 'Armor' team. Transitioning into a coach, Kim Yeon-koung expressed her competitive spirit, saying, 'Since it’s a competition, we will definitely win.'

The Under team lost the first set 9-15. Kim Yeon-koung began to encourage the players right beside the court. Like a miracle, the players' performance came alive. In the second set, Kim Ye-seo displayed outstanding offensive power, and the Under team won 15-6.

The final third set was played to 25 points. Once the Under team gained momentum, they won 25-12, celebrating the victory. Kim Yeon-koung shared high fives with the players, savoring the win. There was an intense desire to win, even in practice matches.

As a result of the judges' scoring, Kim Ye-seo (Seongmyeong Girls' High School) was selected as MVP. Kim Joo-sol (Cheongsu High School), who showed good skills as a setter, came in second, and Park Eun-bin (Seongmyeong Girls' High School), who performed as an outside hitter, took third place.

A warm scene was also created. The foreign players who participated as judges suggested awarding an unplanned 'special award' at their own expense. Thus, Lee Eun-chae (Cheongsu High School), who showed great skill and attitude, became the recipient of the special award. The award winners each received a scholarship of 1 million won from the KYK Foundation.

Now retired as a player, Kim Yeon-koung still has much to do for Korean volleyball. In the future, she plans to work for the development of Korean volleyball in her capacity as chairperson of the KYK Foundation (Kim Yeon-koung Foundation). Although it was a practice match, Kim Yeon-koung displayed her charisma as a transformed coach, which was also a sight to behold.

Kim Yeon-koung remarked, 'It was a really good time to be with promising players. Everyone showed great skills, making scoring difficult. I see a bright future for Korean volleyball ahead. I hope the players can grow to have bigger dreams and become professional players and national representatives.'

MVP Kim Ye-seo stated, 'Thanks to Under Armour, I’m glad to see Kim Yeon-koung and play games with other players. I was able to grow a lot because world-class players, whom I only saw on TV, guided me. I want to become a player who shines for my country in the future.'

Jordan Larson (39, U.S.), a close friend of Kim Yeon-koung who actively participated as a judge and coach in this event, praised, 'I had a really fun time with the promising youth of Korean volleyball. I hope the young female players can continue to grow.'

[OSEN]