"You've grown the most this year."" A 15-year professional veteran has changed his "volleyball perspective."

*This content was translated by AI.

Age doesn't matter for growth and learning. The same goes for the '15-year professional' veteran. Choi Eun-ji (34) of Heungkuk Life Insurance, a women's professional volleyball team, said, "I think I've grown the most this year." He said that the "view on volleyball" itself changed when he met with Japanese coach Tomoko Yoshihara (Japan).

The match against Pepper Savings Bank, a home game of Jin Air's 2025-2026 professional volleyball V-League held at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on the 1st, was a stage that showed "Changed Choi Eun-ji." On this day, Choi Eun-ji was responsible for 12 points, the second-most after Rebecca (25 points). It is the highest number of points scored in an individual game in two consecutive games since the game against GS Caltex three days ago, when the game was a close game in the full set. On top of that, the receiving efficiency was 50%, and up to 14 digs were removed. At a critical moment, he blocked Joey's block and roared. Thanks to this, Heungkuk Life defeated Pepper Savings Bank 3-1 to leap to second place. He was on the verge of losing consecutive games due to his loss against GS Caltex, but changed the atmosphere again after one game. Choi Eun-ji was at the center of it.

Given that there has been less room to stand since Heungkuk Life Insurance moved last season, it seems to have succeeded in "rebounding" this season. In fact, he played only 18 games last season. The number of participating sets was 40. However, he has already played in 26 games and played 88 sets this year. Recently, it has become a complete team player. The number of points has increased by more than 100 points from 35 points last season to 138 points this season. The triple-digit score for the season is the first in five seasons since the 2020-2021 season when KGC Ginseng Corporation was in office. He is a 15-year professional veteran, but he deserves confidence, saying, "I think I've grown myself."

At the center of Choi Eun-ji's growth is Yoshihara. Choi Eun-ji said, "I think my perspective on volleyball has changed a lot compared to me before and now," adding, "He tells me in detail why I have to do this and how the opponent comes out when I do this." "Thanks to this, even if the team doesn't score, we're ready for the next one. Even if there is no point in attack, the rest of the players fight in blocking and prepare for defense. I feel like we're fighting together," he explained.

He said, "(Director Yoshihara) When you first came here, you told me to watch a lot of personal videos. Rather than just knowing, you have to see yourself in person to feel what you should have done at a time like this, he said. "If you don't know what you're saying all the time, come and ask me. He says he can tell me as much as he wants. He is always open," he added.

Through this process, Choi Eun-ji has "grown" enough to feel it herself. "Personally, I think it would have been nice to play volleyball thinking like this when I was a little younger." At the same time, he said, "I don't think it's too late now. As the director said, age is not important for growth. I want to do my best and learn hard," he stressed. This is why expectations are growing for Choi Eun-ji's performance.

The head coach looking at Choi Eun-ji is also very satisfied. Coach Yoshihara said, "I would like you to work harder in connection or defense, but Choi Eun-ji is growing smoothly," adding, "Now she is a veteran player." I have a lot of expectations in terms of defensive connection and communication that connects people," he added.

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*This content was translated by AI.