Get angry? 'Prince of Suwon' Lim Seong-jin's rebuttal
"I don't think I should be angry because there are so many people on our court right now."
The failure to advance to the playoffs was bittersweet, but it still gave a finishing touch to fans who visited the last home game of the season. Korea Electric Power Corp. won the match against Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. in the sixth round of the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League, with a set score of 3-1 (26-24, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18).
Korea Electric Power Corp., which had been running to revive its hopes for spring volleyball, missed the last six rounds, which was the most important. Prior to the match on the day, it lost four consecutive games. It failed to reach the final stage, and eventually the number of last cases was erased, confirming its failure to advance to the playoffs. The result was all the more regrettable because he was motivated.
Coach Kwon was also well aware of the flagging mood of the squad. However, just because the result has been decided does not mean that the remaining matches will be held. Notably, as the match against Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance on Friday is the last home game of this season, it was necessary to set the mood. Coach Kwon said to the players before the match, "Let's cheer up as it is our last home game," and the players responded with performance.
Outside hitter Lim Sung-jin stood out in particular. He set the personal record of scoring the most points in a single game with 26 points on the day, and displayed his best performance by completing three serve aces and five blocking attempts. His attack success rate also reached 58.06 percent. Although he had some difficulties as he played his first full-time season as a starting member, it was a demonstration that he has definitely improved to a new level.
In fact, the player himself did not even pay attention to the record of the most goals scored. The bitterness of failing to advance to the spring volleyball tournament was even greater. "Honestly, I did not know (that I scored the most points). Everyone was regretting and regretting not being able to go to the spring volleyball tournament, but I think it is meaningful that I won the tournament."
Coach Kwon Young-min said after watching Lim Sung-jin's performance on the day, "Sung-jin must have felt a lot this year. It was my first time playing full, so I think there were things I felt that I was lacking and what I should do with my life or routine as a professional player. It will be better next season."
The V-League match between Korean Air and KEPCO will be held at Gyeyang Gymnasium in Incheon on the 27th. Before the match, Korean Air Lim Dong-hyuk and KEPCO Lim Sung-jin are talking.
He also made a request. "I think he is the youngest among those born in 1999." In the case of Kim Ji-han and Lim Dong-hyuk, they cheer loudly and express strongly during games, but Sung-jin does not have such a strong expression. Professional players should also know how to win, but it's a little disappointing that Sung-jin is relatively subdued. Other than that, he is improving on record in terms of skills."
However, Lim Sung-jin, who heard the director's story, tilted his head and laughed, "The director usually tells me not to lower my head and be confident even if it doesn't work out, but I don't think I should submit it because there are many people who are angry on our court right now."
The fact that there are many angry people shows how much disappointment the main players of Korea Electric Power Corp., who are full of competitive spirit, expressed in their recent performance. Lim Sung-jin said, "When our team is doing well, it is a good atmosphere with a smile, but everyone seems to have been burdened and motivated to win through the 6th round. I don't think our performance has come out as more people are annoyed and angry with each other."
A match between KB Insurance and KEPCO took place at Uijeongbu Gymnasium on the 18th. Lim Sung-jin of KEPCO cheers after blocking Villena's attack.
"I felt that it was really hard to maintain good performance from start to finish because it was a long-term race," he said. "I felt that I had to pay a lot of attention to my condition and do better. It's a position where I get the most balls, so if I'm shaken, the team will shake, so I think I have to do it stably. In the past, when the score exceeded 20, my confidence fell a lot, but this season I tried to overcome it with strong heart. Still, I gained confidence as I gradually improved."
Korea Electric Power Corp. will play the final game of this season on the road against KB Insurance on the 17th. Lim Sung-jin said, "We have one last game left, so I want to prepare well and not disappoint our fans. We have to repay you with a winning game," but added, "It's too bad. I can't believe the season ends like this. After the last game, I won't be able to meet my fans until around October. I'll prepare hard and become a better player."