“I will definitely be a player who can help the team.”
Kim became a free agent at the end of last season and switched from IBK to Heungkuk Life. He returned to Heungkuk Life after a six-year absence following the 2016-2017 season.
Since the move, Kim has focused on rehabilitation, undergoing cartilage surgery on her right knee. Prior to the opening game on April 14, Heungkuk Life held a departure ceremony at Samsan Gymnasium in Incheon on April 9. Speaking to The Spike on site, Kim said, “In the beginning of the offseason, I focused on surgery and rehabilitation. After the Cup, I participated in ball exercises and worked out with my teammates, and now I’ve adapted a lot,” he said.
Heungkuk Life was ranked No. 1 in the overall offense in the 2022-2023 season. The Kim-Yeon-kyung and Yelena Mrazenovic (née Yelena) combination had plenty of firepower. However, the duo ranked sixth in blocking (2.058 per set).
The addition of Kim Soo-ji to the Heungkuk Life team is a welcome one in the middle, which has been rated as a weakness. She has been consistently ranked in the top 10 in blocking since the 2016-2017 season, and was also ranked sixth in blocking last season with 0.69 blocks per set for IBK.
The player herself was well aware of her role. “I know that, and I think that’s what I need to do,” Kim said, “and I’ve been training a lot in the offseason and trying to work hard in the middle. I’m getting used to it, so I hope I can play well from the start of the season,” she said.
Eating a pot of rice with her ‘best friend’ Kim Yeon-kyung. Outside of the national team, the two will be playing in the same uniform for the first time since graduating from Hanil Jeonsan Girls’ High School. “Many people liked it, so I was happy,” Kim said of the reunion with her best friend.
“It was the only time we played together on the national team. I’ve been thinking a lot about what it would be like to play a full season together, and I’m glad we were able to accomplish that. I’ve been getting a lot of advice from her when I have problems with my volleyball, so I’m looking forward to a lot of good things,” she said with gratitude.메이저사이트
Preparing for the season with coach Marcello Avondanza was a new experience for the veteran. “I’ve been through a lot of coaches, but I feel like I’m learning new volleyball,” Kim said.
Last season, Heungkuk Life finished first in the regular season and advanced directly to the championship game. They took the first two games against Korea Expressway Corporation, but dropped the next three games to finish as runners-up.
Kim Soo-ji hopes to shake off any regrets the players may have. “We’re preparing with the idea that we don’t want to have any regrets. This year, I want to show a good performance so that there will be no regrets at the end of the year. I want to be an essential player for the team,” she said, sharing her determination for the new season.
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