SUNCHANG, South Korea – The NH Nonghyup Bank women’s tennis team secured their first victory of the season on Sunday, defeating iM Bank 2-0 in the final of the 47th President’s National Soft Tennis Tournament. The win, played on the outdoor hard courts at the public stadium in Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, was largely attributed to the strong performance of national team member Hwang Jeong-mi and a revitalized team spirit, according to coach Young-dong Yoo. The victory marks a positive start for the team under new leadership, with Lee Sang-won recently appointed as the head of the NH Nonghyup Bank sports team.
The turning point, according to Coach Yoo, was Hwang Jeong-mi’s focused and responsible play in the singles match. “I think the driving force behind the victory was that Hwang Jeong-mi played well in the singles match with a sense of responsibility as a national representative,” Yoo said after the match. He also extended gratitude to Lee Sang-won, who traveled from Seoul early Sunday morning to support the team. This win comes after a period where team morale was reportedly low following the national team selection process earlier this year.
Lee and Lim Set the Tone in Doubles Play
The match began with a strong showing in doubles, where the Nonghyup Bank duo of Ji-ah Lee and Jin-ah Lim defeated Da-eun Jeong and Han-seol Kim of iM Bank with a score of 5-3. Lee, a first-year player, proved particularly impactful with her aggressive cutting serves and well-placed passing shots. Her chemistry with the more experienced Lim was a key factor in securing the first point for Nonghyup Bank. The pair consistently pressured their opponents, forcing errors and controlling the pace of the game.
Hwang Jeong-mi Clinches the Victory with Dominating Singles Performance
The momentum continued in the second singles match, where Hwang Jeong-mi, recently ranked first in women’s singles at the national team selection event, decisively defeated Ga-hyeon Kim 4-0. Hwang’s signature cutting serve proved particularly effective, disrupting Kim’s returns and allowing her to dictate the rallies. She strategically mixed short, angled shots with powerful drives, keeping Kim off balance throughout the match. This performance underscored Hwang’s importance to the team and her ability to perform under pressure.
A United Front: Teamwork and New Leadership
Coach Yoo emphasized the importance of team unity in their success. “After the national team selection match early this year, the atmosphere among our players was not good. So we prepared for the tournament with more earnestness than other times, and it worked,” he explained. He credited captain Han Soo-bin for fostering a sense of camaraderie and highlighted the contributions of all team members, even those not directly involved in the final matches. The arrival of Lee Sang-won as the new team leader also appears to have had a positive impact, with his visible support at the tournament boosting morale.
iM Bank coach Kyung-soo Cho acknowledged Nonghyup Bank’s strong performance, stating that his team lacked the same level of organization and experience. “Technology is a skill, but I think our players were still lacking in organization and experience. The Nonghyup Bank players did a good job tactically,” Cho said. He expressed optimism for his team’s future, noting that this was their first final appearance against Nonghyup Bank in several years.
The NH Nonghyup Bank’s victory in the President’s National Soft Tennis Tournament signals a promising start to the season. The team will now look ahead to upcoming competitions, building on the momentum generated by this win and the renewed sense of unity within the squad. The focus will be on maintaining the strong form displayed by Hwang Jeong-mi and continuing to develop the synergy between all team members. The next scheduled tournament for the team is expected to be announced by the Korea Tennis Association in early April.
What did you think of this match? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow tennis fans!
