The return of Ha Hye-jin, who endured the time of endurance, is imminent. This is the moment that both the team and the players have been waiting for.
The last date Pepper Savings Bank Ha Hye-jin participated in the V-League was March 3, 2022 (2021-2022 V-League Regular League 6R KGC Ginseng Corporation). After this game, Ha Hye-jin was unable to play in the V-League. She was injured in 2022 when she ruptured her shoulder ligaments while joining the national team to compete at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Women’s World Championship. Her injury was more serious than she thought, and she had to rest through the 2022-2023 season.
Ha Hye-jin, however, did her best to return to her court. Her body and mind endured a long and painful rehabilitation. She did and she finally got her body in shape so she could get back on the court. In the last 2023 Gumi Dodram Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament, Ha Hye-jin started all three group stage matches, and she went to practice after a long time. Although her team ended the tournament with 3 losses, it was a meaningful time for Ha Hye-jin.
On the 25th, she finished morning training at Pepper Stadium in Gwangju, where she was able to chat with Ha Hye-jin for a while. When asked about her current condition, 안전놀이터 Ha Hye-jin said, “She is in better condition than during her cup competition. However, she is in a situation where she will continue to improve her condition as the season begins. Right now, she’s not completely happy, but she’ll keep improving her form as the season begins. In the early days of her rehabilitation, her arms did not rise well, and even when she slept, she slept sitting down because her arms hurt when she slept on her side. she is not now She has recovered a lot,” said her condition.
Like other players, Ha Hye-jin endured a difficult rehabilitation both physically and mentally. “During her rehab, her condition was different from day to day,” she said. Sometimes it was so good, and other times I couldn’t even lift my arms. In the process, it was difficult for her to control her emotional ups and downs. Ha Hye-jin, who confessed her struggles during the rehabilitation period, said, “I also had doubts about whether I could return to the court again. So I grew up strong with the teachers at the rehabilitation center (laughs). Now that I am training with the players, it is much better,” she said happily looking back at the difficult times.
Ha Hye-jin, who revealed, “I kept thinking about what to do when I return to the team while watching last season from outside,” she is steadily preparing for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. He said, “After coach Joe Tringe took over, it feels like learning a new volleyball. It’s volleyball that I’ve never seen before in Korea. From the step to the jump section and the line of sight, he gives detailed guidance. As soon as I returned to training, it was a little daunting at first to accept new things, but now I feel like I can naturally follow the direction the coach wants to some extent, so I am gaining confidence,” he introduced the training process after the appointment of Joe Tringe.
Regarding the Mikasa ball, which she has to deal with in the upcoming season following the last cup competition, Hyejin Ha showed a positive response, saying, “I like it? (laughs).” He said, “I am adjusting well. He had previously dealt with the national team as well. There is nothing in particular that doesn’t suit me. It feels a bit heavy, but not bothersome at all. It seems to be a good change in that not only me but also the national team players do not have to spend time adapting to the ball.”
Pepper Savings Bank’s first game of the 2023-2024 season is an away game in Suwon against Hyundai E&C on October 15th. If Ha Hye-jin plays in this game, he will make his V-League comeback in 591 days. When asked how he feels now that his return is imminent, Ha Hye-jin said, “As it is a return after a long rehabilitation, I have high expectations for myself and the team. I hope the league will start soon.” Personally, my goal is to complete the season without getting hurt and to completely own the volleyball that the coach is pursuing. I don’t think there are many opportunities to learn volleyball like this. I want to have a good weapon,” he replied boldly.
Ha Hye-jin said to the fans who supported and waited for her comeback for a long time, “You must have waited a lot, but from this season, I will be able to show you how to play on the court. I hope he will come to the stadium a lot. I will show you a good performance as much as you cheered and expected.” I look forward to the flight of ‘Ha Angel’ Ha Hye-jin, who is ready to spread her wings again after taking a long breath.