Heungkuk Life, who boasted a luxurious member, quickly fell into Kim Yeon-kyung (33)’One Man Team’. Red light was on for the lead sprint.
Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young (above 25, Heungkuk Life Insurance), who were controversial over the school violence (academic violence), were suspended indefinitely by their team Heungkuk Life Insurance on the 15th. Heungkuk Life Insurance explained the background of the punishment, saying, “School violence is unacceptable for any reason.”
Heungkuk Life Insurance renewed the contract with Lee Jae-young, who obtained the free agent qualification in April of last year. FA setter Lee Da-young was also recruited. In June,’World Star’ Kim Yeon-kyung came back. Existing players such as Joo-ah Lee, the national center, Hyun-joo Park, the rookie king last season, and Se-young Kim, veteran, are also good. Volleyball fans called Heungkuk Life Insurance, which has built a luxury lineup, as’Heung Vengers’ in the superhero movie’Avengers’.
Before the 2020-21 season, it was predicted that Heungkuk Life would win the V-League undefeated. Until the first half, as expected, he showed great power. He ran 10 consecutive wins in the opening, and scored 10 points ahead of GS Caltex in second place until the third round, leading the first place alone.
However, it shook from the fifth round. Heungkuk Life Insurance lost with a set score of 2-3 against Hyundai E&C on January 31. From this game, it was evaluated that Lee Da-young and the attacking team were not breathing well. On the 5th, which was completely defeated by 0-3, the GS Caltex battle even ignited the feud. On the 11th, when Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young fell into a controversy, the Korea Expressway Corporation also shut out and defeated. It is currently 3 consecutive losses.
Heungkuk Life Insurance has recorded 50 points (17 wins and 6 losses) as of the 15th, keeping the first place in the V-League women’s division. The difference between 2nd place GS Caltex and GS Caltex is only 5 points. Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young cannot compete in the remaining 7 games this season. Heung Bengers was disbanded, and Kim Yeon-kyung, who was left alone, became heavy on the shoulders.
Heungkuk Life’s outlook for the rest of the season is very dark. The gap between Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young is very large. Jaeyoung Lee recorded 35.28% of attack share this season. It is higher than Kim Yeon-kyung (31.16%). In particular, he was a player with excellent defensive contribution. It ranked 1st in receive efficiency (39.58%) in the team and 1st in Diggs per set (3.735). Jaeyoung Lee’s replacement is Miyeon Kim. Although he is ranked first in the sub division (0.309 per set), the receiving efficiency is only 23.40%. Kim Yeon-kyung’s defense burden is bound to increase.
If Heungkuk Life Insurance has foreign players with more than average skills, it can be a little free from the burden of’Kim Yeon-kyung one-man team’. However, Bruna, who was signed as Lucia’s substitute player, has never scored more than 10 points in the four games he played. The attack success rate is only 24.19%. It is being evaluated for lack of skill. Because of that, the dependence on Kim Yeon-kyung is bound to increase. The simpler the attack route makes the opponent’s defense easier. Blockers focus on blocking Kim Yeon-kyung without worrying.
The backup setter is also weak. In the 7th year of his debut, Da-sol Kim stood on the court instead when Lee Da-young was in trouble or was absent, but did not show impressive performance. Park Hye-jin, a rookie setter who started the 2nd~3rd set of the Korea Expressway Corporation on the 11th, also revealed a lack of experience. Without Lee Da-young, a tall setter, the height of the blocker wall would have to be lowered.
Heungkuk Life Insurance lost all two games played without Lee Jae-young and Lee Da-young this season. On December 13, last year, at the Korea Expressway Corporation, Kim Yeon-kyung scored 21 points and a 48.78% attack success rate, but lost with a set score of 0-3. In the 5th round confrontation with Korea Expressway Corporation held on the 11th, they were defeated 0-3. In this game, Kim Yeon-kyung recorded 70% receiving efficiency in this game. He took his power to receive an attack with the opponent’s serve.
Heungkuk Life Insurance will hold the IBK Industrial Bank Exhibition on the 16th. It is a crossroads of 4 consecutive losses. The KGC Ginseng Corporation, which is being dealt with on the 19th, is also preparing to win the Heungkuk Life Exhibition. KGC Ginseng Corporation director Lee Young-taek expressed his willingness to “(Heungkuk Life Insurance this season) I have never won, but I will prepare well and win”. Heungkuk Life, who has become the’Kim Yeon-kyung one-man team’, considers the lower-ranking teams to be’competent opponents’.
Reporter Ahn Hee-soo