New directors from MB, elevated blocking line

GS Caltex is the representative female professional volleyball team that is evaluated to have weakened power compared to the last season. Kang So-hwi Korea Expressway Corporation was released as a free agent and transferred, while its main player, Libero Han Da-hye Pepper Savings Bank, also left the team. On top of that, veteran middle blockers Jung Dae-young and Han Soo-ji announced their retirements from the pro league.

Pepper Savings Bank, the "last place in many years," is always in the position of underdog. Pepper Savings Bank, the youngest women's team founded in 2021, has been at the bottom every season. It had to suffer a hard time last season, falling into a swamp of 23 consecutive losses.

Ahead of the new season, two teams that are categorized as underdogs have established a new leadership system. GS manager Lee Young-taek and Pepper Savings Bank coach Yoo Ji-yeon have something in common: They made a name for themselves in the middle blocker position when they were active players.

Former middle blockers, the two coaches embarrassed each other by banking on their strategy of not being pushed as high as possible in their debut match. They displayed impressive leadership in their debut match by making active use of tall players.

Lee won the women's first Group A match of the "2024 Tongyeong-Dodram Cup Professional Volleyball Championship" held at Tongyeong Gymnasium in South Gyeongsang Province on March 29. In Lee's debut match, GS defeated Korea Expressway Corporation with a set score of 3 to 2 25-19 23-25 22-25 25-19 15-13.

"I am nervous as well as excited as I am," Lee said before the match. "Even if I have experience in women's team, it will be my first time playing at GS. I am excited and looking forward to it, but I am always nervous at first," Lee said. "Players trained a lot. I hope they can show them at the event."

When I opened the lid, GS displayed astonishing performance. Foreign striker Gisele Silva registered name Silva scored 39 points to lead the team to victory. Stephanie Weiler registered name Weiler from Australia also scored 23 points in the Asian quarter. Outside heater Kwon Min-ji in Korea scored 17 points and middle blocker Oh Se-yeon scored eight points.

What stood out was by far the number of blocks. GS overwhelmed Korea Expressway Corporation in height.

GS's blocking score totaled 18 points, more than double that of Korea Expressway Corporation 7 points. Wyler, who is 194 centimeters tall, blocked opponents' attacks with six blocking points, the highest between the two teams. Kwon Min-ji scored four points, and Oh Se-yeon scored three points.

In recent years, GS has been considered a weakness of the center. It finished at the bottom of the blocking score list last season. It ranked fifth in this category in the 2022-2023 season and sixth in the 2021-2022 season.

However, Lee has made efforts to overcome his weaknesses since his inauguration. "I'm a middle blocker, and I shouldn't be told that the center is weak," Lee said at the media day in August. "I'm not going to improve my height at once, but I'm steadily preparing for blocking and defense."

Even after his debut match, Lee commented on this matter and expressed satisfaction. "I'm the one who came to make it," Lee said with a proud smile. "I changed my blocking position after losing the game in the second set," Lee said. "Considering the content, I thought I would be able to catch the game."

Another middle blocker-turned-new head coach, Chang Ji-yeon of Pepper Savings Bank, lost his debut game, but beat his opponent in a high position and saw the possibility of improving his performance in the new season.

On the same day, Pepper Savings Bank lost to Hyundai Engineering & Construction by a score of two to three 25-22 23-25 25-27 25-22 11-15 at the Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., the unified women's team, last season.

"I emphasized professional attitude and mindset to the players during the offseason," Jang said before the game. "Technically, I have emphasized the basics to the players for six months," he said. "I want to see them play without missing out on connections, attack covers, and rebound plays."

Pepper Savings Bank's performance was significantly different from the past. For starters, its captain Park Jung-ah scored 27 points. Foreign player Barbara Zavicic added 20 points, while Zhang Yu, a Chinese player, scored 14 points in the Asian quarter.

Pepper Savings Bank did not lag behind Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which possesses the "middle blocker jeans" in Korea, in the match. Pepper Savings Bank scored a total of 18 points through blocking, while Hyundai Engineering & Construction scored 10 points. It also had 44 effective blocks, two ahead of its opponent.

In particular, 197-centimeter middle blocker Jangwi showed impressive performance. She also flew well in front of Yang Hyo-jin, the best middle blocker in the women's team, and Lee Da-hyun, the national team. With six blocked points, she garnered the most blocking points in both teams. In addition, Ha Hye-jin 4 points, Dr. Lang 3 points, Park Jung-ah, and Lee Ye-rim 2 points each added more blocking points in Pepper. 토토사이트 모음

Head coach Kang Sung-hyung also gave compliments on the position after the game. "He is a good player in position," Kang said. "He hits the ball well if he connects the position accurately. He also has good blocking hand shape and timing." "If we have better teamwork with the setter, the frequency and efficiency of attack will increase further in the center."

Coach Jang also applauded, saying, "The captaincy was good enough." "It was a game where we could see that our height was competitive enough. I wanted to confirm our team's competitiveness through this competition."

GS coach Lee Young-taek and Pepper Savings Bank coach Yoo Ji-yeon will hold their second match after their appointment on Tuesday. GS will meet Hyundai Engineering & Construction to seek its second consecutive win. Pepper Savings Bank will play against Korea Expressway Corporation.