Jung Dae-young (GS Caltex), a legendary female volleyball player, will retire. Born in 1981, Chung was the oldest active female player and decided to leave the court he had settled down after this season.

Jung Dae-young shared his thoughts on retirement on his social networking service account on Thursday afternoon. "I will remember my happy volleyball life thanks to the fans. I was grateful and happy," he said. "Thank you to all the coaches, coaches, and players who were with me. I also thank the club officials."

He specifically mentioned Korea Expressway Corporation head coach Kim Jong-min in the women's team. "I want to thank Coach Kim Jong-min for leading me up to this age," Jung said. "Many things happened because I was an old man from time to time, but I was able to play as a pro athlete for such a long time because he trusted and protected me until the end. Thank you for your support and congratulations on my retirement."

Coach Kim Jong-min and Jung Dae-young met at Korea Expressway Corporation from the 2016-2017 season to the 2022-2023 season. Throughout the seven seasons, they worked together to overcome numerous matches. Notably, they won the championship in the 2017-2018 season and the championship in the dramatic reverse sweep of the 2022-2023 season.

"I heard about my retirement in advance. I contacted him as soon as the news came out," Kim said in a telephone interview with Expos News on Thursday. "I feel a little bad that I'm really retiring. I'm sad about everything."

"(Jung) Dae-young has always been a grateful player. He has always led by example. Thanks to him, the team has become stronger and stronger," he said. "He worked the hardest, and as an old player, he also maintained the center of the team. He used to make the coach comfortable."

He reminisced for a while. "When you get older, training can become more difficult. Sometimes, when I whip strongly, you clench your teeth and exercise," Kim said. "It seems that we have built up a lot of trust by relaxing and talking to each other. Regardless of his age, he took good care of himself very thoroughly and did his part anytime."

He also feels sorry. Jung re-acquired the free agent right after the end of the 2022-2023 season. He moved to GS Caltex. "FA is such a precious opportunity for a professional player. For Dae-young, it was the last FA for her. My ambition was to hold onto Dae-young, but I had to think about realistic conditions," he said. "I told him, 'If other teams' conditions are much better, he can go.' He must have felt sorry for that. I did so because I was afraid that if I hold on to the end, my worries would grow and it would be difficult."

As a teacher and senior in his life, he also gave words of blessing. "I haven't spent time with my family so far, so I hope that I can leave the court and enjoy my time with my family. I hope that I get along well as Jung Dae-young," Kim said. "Considering the hard work he made as a player, I'm sure he will do well no matter what. I will always root for him."

Kim and Jung made dinner plans after the end of the season. Coincidentally, that was the third day when the press release for Jung's retirement was released. Kim concluded the interview with a big smile, saying, "I always have a lot to talk about with Dae-young. I'll treat you."

After graduating from the Yangbaek Girls' Award in 1999, Jung joined Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which was then a business team. When the V-League was launched in 2005, he played golf as a member of Hyundai Engineering & Construction. After moving to GS Caltex as a free agent in the 2007-2008 season, Jung was a strong player of his team and led the team to win championship matches in the 2007-2008 and 2013-2014 seasons. In the 2014-2015 season, he transferred to Korea Expressway Corporation as a free agent, and contributed to his overall win in the 2017-2018 season and the championship match in the 2022-2023 season. He wore GS Caltex uniforms in the 2023-2024 season.

During his 19 seasons in the V-League, he scored 5653 points, had an offensive success rate of 36.89 percent, and had 1,228 blockings (0.624 per set). In cumulative total, he ranked fourth in women's scoring, sixth in attack scoring (4185), second in blocking scoring, and fourth in the number of games he played.

He has also won numerous awards. He won the 2005 Scoring Award, Blocking Award, Defensive Award, Monthly MVP in April, and Regular League MVP. He has consistently enjoyed the pleasure of winning awards including the 2005-2006 Back Attack Award, All-Star MVP, Fair Play Award in 2006-2007, 2007 KOVO Cup MVP, Blocking Award and Championship MVP in 2007-2008, Fair Play Award in 2014-2015 and Best Seven Middle Blockers in 2018-2019 season.

The national flag was also worn frequently. I went to the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2006 Grand Prix World Women's Volleyball Championship, the World Women's Volleyball Championship, and the Doha Asian Games. I was also selected as a member of the national team for the 2007 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, the 2011 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, and the 2012 London Olympics.

GS Caltex, which became Jung Dae-young's last active team, will hold a retirement ceremony during the 2024-2025 season.

BY: 안전놀이터