"A new teammate last year, the team captain this year" — Jeon Gwang-in has changed in Hiroshima, which he revisited just one year later: "It would be a lie to say I feel no pressure... I will do my best to support the players."

*This content was translated by AI.

"It would be a lie to say I feel no burden. I am trying to become a captain who can be as much of a strength to the players as possible."

Jeon Gwang-in (35, OK Savings Bank), who was adjusting to his new uniform as a transfer player one year ago, has returned to the same Hiroshima wearing the captain's armband and standing at the center of the team.

The OK Savings Bank Eomman volleyball team has been conducting its pre-season training camp in Hiroshima, Japan, since the 28th of last month. They played two practice matches against Hiroshima Thunder of Japan's SV League on September 29 and 30, and continued with live-action games on October 2 and 3 as they prepare for the KOVO Cup and the 2026-2027 season.

This is Jeon Gwang-in's second pre-season training camp in Hiroshima. He entered KEPCO as the first overall pick in the 2013-2014 V-League rookie draft and won the Rookie of the Year award. In 2018, he transferred to Hyundai Capital as a free agent (FA). During the 2018-2019 season, he played in the championship finals while suffering from knee pain, leading Hyundai Capital to victory and earning the Championship Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

In April of last year, he faced another major change. Through a one-on-one trade between Hyundai Capital and OK Savings Bank, he swapped uniforms with Shin Ho-jin. OK Savings Bank was looking for a veteran outside hitter who could handle both offense and defense, and they chose Jeon Gwang-in.

His presence was clear from his first season. Last year at the KOVO Cup, he led OK Savings Bank to the runner-up position, recording 68 points and 12 blocks in five matches to be named the Most Valuable Player. Although the team finished sixth in the regular league in its first season after relocating its home base to Busan and failed to advance to the spring playoffs, it confirmed its potential by posting a 13-5 record at home.

In their second season, they aim to build around Jeon Gwang-in. The biggest difference Jeon feels in Hiroshima this year is the team's completeness. "Last year, we conducted our training camp without foreign players, but this year we are operating with a complete team, so it seems that the quality of training and practice matches has improved," he said. "As time spent together accumulates, players have become more open in talking and communicating with each other. It is encouraging to see things visibly improving as a result."

Coordinating with new setter Kim Dae-hwan (21) is also an important task. Kim Dae-hwan, a 190cm tall setter, debuted in the pro league from Woori Card as the second pick in the third round of the 2023-2024 V-League draft, went through Sungkyunkwan University, and is now challenging the V-League again. He joined OK Savings Bank last August and has been working on coordination with the attackers.

Jeon Gwang-in said, "We are constantly adjusting to each other. (Kim) Dae-hwan has only been here for about two months, but he is working really hard. I hope things go well and I want to cheer him on." He added, "If there are parts that do not fit, we first decide to focus on just one thing. Once that is completed, we move on to adjusting the next element, proceeding slowly step by step." He explained, "All players are trying their best to help each other, and we are coordinating by talking a lot with one another."

The weight of being captain is different from last year as well. During last year's training camp, he was in the position of following then-captain Bu Yong-chan (37, Samsung Fire) while adjusting to the team. Jeon Gwang-in said, "Last year, (Bu) Yong-chan hyung did such a great job that I was in the position of following him. This year, I am trying to take on a more central role and do my best to be a strength for the players." He candidly revealed his feelings, adding, "Other players are helping me a lot, so I am comfortable, but it would be a lie to say I feel no burden. I am trying to become a captain who can be a strength to the players."

The player pool has also deepened. Kim Jung-ho (29) has joined the outside hitter lineup. After recording 380 points, a 43.68% attack success rate, and 0.314 service aces per set for KEPCO last season, Kim Jung-ho donned the OK Savings Bank uniform as the FA compensation player for Lee Min-gyu.

Jeon Gwang-in placed more meaning in "trust" than in competition. He smiled and said, "They are all players with their own abilities. No matter which player enters the game, there is always a next player, so we are in a state where we can trust each other. Even if I am not performing well, the next player can fully fulfill that role. In that regard, I feel the team itself is well-structured."

The goal for the remaining Hiroshima schedule is clear: to complete "our volleyball" before analyzing opponents. Jeon Gwang-in emphasized, "First of all, we need to fine-tune our set plays a bit more. While adjusting blocking and defensive positions, I want to supplement those areas." He continued, "Right now, it is more important how we execute our own play than how we stop the opponent. Coordinating our play is the first priority. After that, I want the players to further establish their response capabilities for how to stop the opponent and agreed-upon tactics for blocking opponent attacks."

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*This content was translated by AI.