'National team center Lee Da-hyun has left for Japan,' but Heungkuk Life aims to reclaim the top spot with new foreign player and No. 1 scorer in KOVO Cup! Opening match today (the 1st) on the new pink court

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Heungkuk Life, which has a gap in the middle block due to the move of national team middle blocker Lee Da-hyun (25) to Japan, will begin the 2026-2027 season at their newly renovated home venue. The team is challenging for the title with the firepower of new foreign attacker Yensi Kindelan (23; registered name: Kindelan) and a reinforced roster.

Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders announced, "In celebration of the 2026-2027 V-League women's division home opening match against SOOP Supers at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium at 4 p.m. on the 1st, we will unveil a new dedicated court and various fan events."

One of the biggest changes for Heungkuk Life this season is Lee Da-hyun's departure. The team decided in June to loan Lee to NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in Japan's SV League for one season.

Lee is a national team player who was selected as a V-League Best 7 middle blocker in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons. She excels at quick movement attacks and stable blocking. Although she joined Heungkuk Life as a free agent last year, she is heading to an overseas stage after just one season.

The club decided on the loan for Lee's long-term growth and overseas experience. Lee is scheduled to wear the Heungkuk Life uniform again in the 2027-2028 season. However, filling her gap has become a key task for Head Coach Yoshihara Tomoko (56) this season.

Heungkuk Life has reinforced its power in both offense and defense. The team signed veteran outside hitter Pyo Seung-ju (34), a former national team player, and libero Ko Min-ji (28) from the amateur team Suwon City Hall. They are focusing on improving the cohesion between existing players and new faces.

In particular, new foreign attacker Kindelan left a strong impression at the 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup Pro Volleyball Tournament. Kindelan scored 34 points in her first match against Jeong Gwan-jang, and poured in 39 points against IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, contributing to Heungkuk Life's advancement to the semifinals. In the semifinal, she overcame a 0-2 set deficit against GS Caltex and took the game to a fifth set, but ultimately lost 2-3, failing to advance to the final. Nevertheless, with 106 points in four matches, she ranked No. 1 in scoring in the women's division of the KOVO Cup.

Heungkuk Life enters the new season with the task of confirming the scoring power of their new foreign attacker while improving the completeness of middle attacks and blocking.

The home venue has also changed for the new season. Heungkuk Life will unveil a newly produced Pink Spiders dedicated court at Samsan World Gymnasium for the first time. The court combines an ivory base with pink, the color symbolizing the club, and the colors inside the arena have been unified.

A large-scale light show will be held before the match begins. An ultra-large LED screen has been installed at the arena entrance gates to play videos of the team, and photo zones and photism booths have been set up throughout the venue. The first 1,000 spectators admitted will receive snacks. Pink Spiders membership members will be provided with specially produced player photocards, and a high-five event on the court with the team will be held after the match ends.

Heungkuk Life, an affiliate of Taekwang Group, and Aekyung Industrial will also operate event booths. Heungkuk Life will provide Safin packs, while Aekyung Industrial will offer hand sanitizer tissues and toothbrush sets as prizes. Heungkuk Life will play the home opening match against SOOP Supers, led by Head Coach Kim Se-jin, at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium at 4 p.m. on the 1st.

A Heungkuk Life official stated, "For the new season, we produced a special court reflecting the unique colors of the Pink Spiders and prepared for the entire arena to feel like a single brand space," adding, "We hope that everyone who visits the arena can experience a special opening match through glamorous visuals and various fan events."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original