[Locker Room S] Yang Hyo-jin talks about 'Tokyo, that summer memory' ②… "It feels like a movie."

In the summer of 2021, the women's volleyball team brought joy and emotion to the whole nation.

Overcoming the evaluation of being weak, they united as a 'one team' and succeeded in advancing to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics.

Although they failed to win a medal for the first time in 45 years since the 1976 Montreal Games as they lost to the powerful Serbia in the bronze medal match, the whole nation applauded the fighting spirit and passion shown by the women's volleyball team.

<Locker Room S> met Hyo-Jin Yang, the protagonist of the Tokyo Olympic semifinals, and recalled the memories of that summer again.

▶ [Locker Room S] Yang Hyo-jin talks about 'Tokyo, that summer memory' ①…

"The best Korea-Japan match of my life"

“There was no time to have a party, and there was really no time. We had lunch every day, rested, slept, and played. The schedule was the same from the start to the end. As the matches continued, I was physically exhausted, so I couldn’t do other things. It wasn't like that. After the Olympics, I came back to Korea to spend time."

The national team, which succeeded in advancing to the quarterfinals, worked hard in the final match against Serbia.

Although they lost to Serbia, they advanced to the quarterfinals with 3 wins, 2 losses and 3rd place in the group.

And as a result of the lottery, we had a match against powerful Turkey in the quarterfinals.

The relationship between captain Kim Yeon-kyung and Turkey was a hot topic.

Kim Yeon-kyung, who played in the Turkish league for a long time, was close to a key player of the Turkish national team, and captain Eda Erdem was a special colleague during his time at Fenerbahce.

As we know each other well, the match turned into a fierce battle, and the game was decided in the last five sets.

Park Eun-jin, who was put in by Lavarini as a one-point server, shook Turkey's receive line and succeeded in scoring twice in a row and won the victory.

As Kim Yeon-kyung scored her last goal, the national team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games for the first time in 9 years and for the fourth time in history.

"At first, I thought we would win. But after giving away 4 sets and going to 5 sets, I thought it would be difficult. I think we went back and forth frequently during the game. Taking the lead with Eun-Jin Park's serve in the 5th set, I got the feeling that I could win. Turkey is a strong team. I always thought that it was not going to be easy. But it seems that Turkey is a bit confused when we push it. So I think we played the game really frantically thinking that it would be okay to play until the end. The moment I did it, I was really moved. I think it was really good. It was a glorious moment."

“Honestly, I never thought that we would be able to make it to the quarterfinals again. I felt proud that we did really well. I decided to put a real medal around my neck.”

"I think we tried to not be disturbed by each other on purpose. Brazil's backup players are also very good, so the absence of one doesn't make us weak. We continued to talk and tried not to be disturbed. Rather, the sense of loss increases. But honestly, it would be great if people's psychology was declared forfeited and just went to the finals. I was a little confused.”

"It's fast. It's fast, but the striker sees one time and hits. So I think it's really difficult. If I think I blocked the blocking timing perfectly, I hit it lightly. I hit it at the time it looks like it won't be blocked. I think it's really not easy. I kept hearing this."

Although they failed to reach the finals, the national team prepared the next.

The final bronze medal match was waiting for the mighty Serbia.

A close match was expected as there was also a history of winning the previous VNL.

However, Serbia's power with Boskovic was much stronger than expected.

The national team did their best, but they lost the set score 3-0 and failed to win a medal.

"Honestly, the European countries' power is too strong. Physical condition and skills. I think they took it lightly in the end. It's just like, 'Oh, it's over.' It's really amazing. Even when we saw each other, we were very grateful. Each passion and the enthusiasm of the staff were all put together, so we all stood on the court until the last day of the competition. So I think it felt like we had done it without regrets. ."

"It was a bit strange. It feels like I've been playing for almost 15 years since I first wore the national team uniform, but every moment flowed like a panorama. I think it was difficult every moment. I thought it was fun."

"My growth. I think it's growth. It gave me a stepping stone to keep developing. To be honest, it's really difficult when I first face a European player. . Our juniors are all capable, so I hope to get good results while growing up in the national team.”

"It was such a wonderful tournament to decorate the end of my national team career. It was just like filming a movie. Every moment was touching, and the words the coach said were like lines from a movie. The players enjoyed in the locker room. I think the conversations will remain in my memory for the rest of my life.”

"Actually, 10 years ago, when I first started, women's volleyball was an unpopular sport. Now, it is receiving a lot of love and I know that it is very popular, so I am grateful for everything. I am not in the national team anymore, but I support my juniors a lot I will do my best to wear the Hyundai E&C uniform and show you a fun and good game. I hope you will support me a lot until the end."

"Happy New Year's Eve in 2022. Fighting Women's Volleyball!"

(Video coverage: Gong Jin-gu)