'Post Kim Yeon-koung Era' First Medal Challenge, Women's Volleyball Lee Da-hyun: "Time to Show the 'Results' of Generational Change, Challenge with Confidence" [Jincheon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Da-hyun (25, NEC Red Rockets), a middle blocker for the Yeo Ja-bae-gu (CEO) team, expressed confidence in securing a women's volleyball Asian Games medal for the first time in eight years ahead of the 2026 Aichi·Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games.

Speaking with reporters ahead of the determination ceremony held at the National Representative Athletes Village in Jincheon, Chungbuk on the 3rd, Lee Da-hyun said, "This time, we are challenging with a medal as our goal. That is why we are trying to communicate more among ourselves."

The women's volleyball team had climbed the Asian Games podium three consecutive times: silver at the 2010 Guangzhou (China) Games, gold at the 2014 Incheon Games, and bronze at the 2018 Jakarta·Palembang (Indonesia) Games. However, at the 2022 Hangzhou (China) Games held in 2023, they finished fifth, damaging their pride.

The Hangzhou Games were the first Asian Games after 'legend' Kim Yeon-gyeong-i (CEO) retired from the team, raising concerns about her absence. In reality, the women's volleyball team displayed a lifeless performance, causing deep disappointment among fans. Generational change for the 'Post Kim Yeon-koung' era had also been a long-standing task for women's volleyball.

For Lee Da-hyun, who experienced setbacks at the Hangzhou Games—the first Asian Games she participated in—this tournament holds even greater significance. Unlike back then when she was part of the youngest generation alongside one-year-younger Lee Sun-woo (Jeong Kwan-jang), she is now leading the team as a core member of Seo Seo (CEO) and competing with generational change at its center.

Lee Da-hyun stated, "At the 2023 Hangzhou Games, I was following in my seniors' footsteps. This year, I want to lead the team positively," adding firmly, "Starting this year, I am fully committed to taking responsibility."

She further emphasized, "After generational change, poor performances must now yield results." This means that players are aware they must deliver outcomes after overcoming ups and downs during the transition period following Kim Yeon-koung's retirement.

Although she has participated in various international tournaments this year alone, the feeling of approaching a multi-sport event like the Asian Games is entirely new. She explained that this feeling naturally translates into patriotism and further motivates her as a national team athlete.

Lee Da-hyun remarked, "Now that I'm at the determination ceremony, it feels real. I've only heard about the large scale in words, but it's wonderful. This is definitely the taste of the Asian Games, and it truly provides motivation." She added, "Multi-sport events seem to foster more patriotism, and even if you don't know athletes from other sports, they become closer. I hope all sports do well this year."

She continued, "This time, I want to challenge for the medal with confidence," reiterating Yeo Ja-bae-gu (CEO) team's determination to do their best to reach the podium at the tournament. When asked by reporters if there was a special ceremony in preparation, she smiled and replied, "If we win the medal, what can't we do?"

Meanwhile, on this day, the Korea Volleyball Association announced and finalized the 12th-player roster for the women's national team competing at the Asian Games.

Alongside Lee Da-hyun, Park Eun-jin and Jung Ho-young (both from Jeong Kwan-jang) are listed as middle blockers; Kim Da-in (Hyundai Construction) and Lee Soo-yeon (Korea Expressway Corporation) as setters; and Han Da-hye (SOOP) as libero. Opposite spikers Na Hyun-soo (Hyundai Construction) and Park Eun-seo (SOOP) will head to Nagoya, while outside hitters captain Kang So-hwi (Korea Expressway Corporation), Yuk Seo-young (IBK Industrial Bank of Korea), Lee Ye-rim (Hyundai Construction), and Kim Hyo-im (GS Caltex) are also set for the journey.

The Yeo Ja-bae-gu (CEO) team will continue training at the athletes' village before departing for Japan, the competition venue, on the 13th. South Korea, placed in Group D of the preliminary round, will face Hong Kong at 4 p.m. on the 16th, Qatar at 1 p.m. on the 17th, and Vietnam at 4 p.m. on the 18th. To advance to the quarterfinals and challenge for the championship, the team must finish within the top two of its group.

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*This content was translated by AI.