*This content was translated by AI.
The team's main hitter has left, and the national team outside hitter has enlisted in the military. Even the home venue is moving from Uijeongbu to Pyeongtaek. While there are certainly some concerns regarding these changes, KB Insurance Stars look even higher than before.
Ha Hyun-yong, acting head coach of KB Insurance, announced his goal for the new season on the 11th while the team was undergoing pre-season training in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan: "As professional athletes, we must aim for the championship. Objectively speaking, I believe we have the strength to win."
KB Insurance still vividly remembers last season's regrets. In the final regular-season match of the 2025-2026 season, they defeated KEPCO 3-0, finishing with 19 wins and 17 losses for 58 points, narrowly surpassing Woori Card (57 points) and KEPCO (56 points) to secure third place in a dramatic fashion.
However, the spring playoffs ended too quickly. They suffered a decisive 0-3 defeat (20-25, 18-25, 18-25) against Woori Card in a single-match quarterfinals series, failing to advance to the playoffs. At that time, in the V-League men's division, Korean Air claimed the championship by defeating Hyundai Capital after five games in the finals. For KB Insurance, moving up one step from third place and shaking up the two-power structure of Korean Air and Hyundai Capital became the new season's challenge.
Ha took over as acting head coach following the departure of coach Leonardo Carvalho during the 2025-26 season. He reflected, "As an acting head coach, I certainly faced many difficulties in being the 'decision-maker.' I felt that I was still quite lacking." However, he added, "Still, the coaches provided a lot of support, and the players also did their best to the end despite the chaotic situation, for which I am grateful."
However, the team's changes during the off-season were not minor. Andres Biyena, who had been responsible for the offense for four seasons, left the team, and Im Sung-jin, signed as a free agent, enlisted in the military. Starting libero Kim Do-hoon also transferred to OK Savings Bank. Nevertheless, Ha diagnosed that the 'plus' outweighs the 'minus.'
He stated, "Biyena was an incredible player who sustained the team for a long time, but new changes were necessary. Im Sung-jin also had to resolve his military obligations, so his departure was inevitable."
Instead, there are cards to look forward to. First is the comeback of Na Kyung-bok, who could not perform as expected last season due to injury aftermath. Ha evaluated, "Na Kyung-bok's knee condition is not perfect, but he has worked hard on weight control. During pre-season training, he has consistently engaged in personal night workouts and running, showing a sincere mindset."
Hwang Gyeong-min's return from military service is also significant. With the addition of Asian quota player Tarusha Chameas and Hong Sang-hyeok, Ha believes the options for the outside hitter lineup have widened. The physical conditions of new foreign player Linus Weber and starting setter Hwang Taek-ui remain variables. Weber is recovering from a thigh injury, and Hwang Taek-ui has not yet fully recovered following surgery to remove bone fragments from his ankle. However, there are no issues expected for them to reach peak condition by the start of the new season.
In particular, Hwang Taek-ui's recovery speed is fast enough that he participated in practice matches briefly during the Japan pre-season training. Weber is also expected to be able to join normal training after the Japan pre-season camp.
The environment off the court has also completely changed. The existing Uijeongbu Gymnasium was suspended due to safety concerns, and even the Kyungmin University Memorial Hall, used as a temporary home for the last two seasons, received recommendations for facility improvements. Consequently, KB Insurance decided to play 18 home games of the 2026-2027 season at Pyeongtaek Lee Chung-moon Cultural Sports Center. The first regular-season home game in Pyeongtaek will be against Samsung Fire & Marine on November 1.
Players, foreign players, and even the home stadium are changing. Therefore, the significance of this Japan pre-season training is even greater. Ha emphasized, "In Korea, we train with familiar environments and known players, but here everything is new and unfamiliar." He added, "Playing practice matches against skilled players themselves provides good experiences and opportunities for growth for the athletes."
KB Insurance will continue training until the 12th and is scheduled to return home on the 13th.
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*This content was translated by AI.
