‘SOOP’s inaugural match’ Head coach Kim Se-jin: “Wiping out the old team, starting from scratch” [Yeosu on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Head coach Kim Se-jin of the women’s professional volleyball team SOOP Supers, who is playing their first match since founding through the 2026 Yeosu·NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament, emphasized, “Pepper (Savings Bank) no longer exists. We are wiping out the old team.”

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Group A opener against IBK Industrial Bank of Korea at Jinnam Gymnasium in Gwangju Yeosu, South Jeolla Province on the 11th, Head coach Kim Se-jin said, “You ask many questions including about Pepper, but we are thinking of starting from the very beginning, from the bottom.”

SOOP is a newly launched team that acquired Pepper Savings Bank, which was on the verge of disbandment last May, with Head coach Kim Se-jin serving as the inaugural head coach leading the team.

Emphasizing “We are not Pepper,” Head coach Kim Se-jin said, “Technically, we have a long way to go. Right now, we are focusing on defense and building the system. The players’ understanding is definitely good. They are following along well.”

Head coach Kim, who previously led the launch of men’s OK Savings Bank and is once again guiding a new team, laughed and said, “Compared to that time, I’ve gotten a bit older,” adding, “My passion hasn’t waned, but I think more. (The OK Savings Bank era was) already 13 years ago. People say it will be difficult this time because it’s a women’s team, but that was something I had anticipated.”

Head coach Kim Se-jin continued, “The position of head coach is always heavy and burdensome. However, if they follow the direction I have envisioned, there is no greater thrill,” adding, “I have never left the volleyball court. Only my position has changed. I hope to use time well, naturally and as it is.”

Head coach Manabe Masayoshi (Japan), who has also newly taken the helm of IBK Industrial Bank of Korea and is ahead of his debut match, said, “I have been deeply considering how to prepare plans for achieving our goals. I have led training so that new tactics and strategies can be applied.”

Head coach Manabe, who led the Japanese women’s volleyball team to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, stated, “Whether in the past or now, Korean players have many physical advantages compared to Japanese players,” emphasizing, “Since it is our first match, I want to approach it with excitement. As for how prepared we are, let me say that we have trained to win.”

This cup tournament, held ahead of the professional volleyball V-League, will be held in Gwangju Yeosu, South Jeolla Province this year as well, following last year. Seven women’s teams will compete from the 11th to the 18th, and seven men’s teams will clash for the championship trophy from the 19th to the 25th.

In both the men’s and women’s divisions, the top two teams from each group in the group stage will advance to the quarterfinals to determine the champion. The championship prize money is 50 million won.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original