Chang Yoon-hee

2.1. Birth and Childhood

Jang Yoon-hee was born on May 22, 1970, in South Korea. Details about her specific childhood environment are not extensively documented, but her early life evidently fostered an environment conducive to her developing her athletic talents, leading her to pursue volleyball from a young age.

2.2. Education

Jang Yoon-hee attended Geunyeong Girls' High School, where she cultivated her skills as a young volleyball player. Following her high school graduation, she furthered her education at the Korea National Sport University, a prominent institution known for its athletic programs, which likely provided her with advanced training and a strong academic foundation to complement her burgeoning sports career.

3.1. Club Career

Jang Yoon-hee began her illustrious club career in 1988 when she joined the Honam Oil women's volleyball team. This team later underwent name changes, becoming LG Oil and subsequently GS Caltex. During her tenure with Honam Oil, Jang Yoon-hee was instrumental in leading the team to an unprecedented run of success, securing nine consecutive championships in the South Korea Volleyball Super League from the 1990-91 season through the 1998-99 season. Her leadership and exceptional play were critical to this sustained dominance, marking a golden era for the club.

After retiring from professional play in 2002 following the 2001-2002 season, Jang Yoon-hee made several notable returns to the court. In 2005, she briefly rejoined the Suwon City Hall volleyball team, demonstrating her enduring passion for the sport. She also played for the Bucheon City Sports Council team in 2009. Her final return to club play came in the 2010-2011 season, when she once again played for GS Caltex, completing a remarkable career spanning decades.

3.2. National Team Career

Jang Yoon-hee was a long-standing and integral member of the South Korea women's national volleyball team, representing her country in numerous major international competitions. She participated in the 1994 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship where the team finished in 4th place. Her contributions were particularly notable at the Asian Games, where she helped the team secure a gold medal at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games. She also earned silver medals at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games and the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

In the FIVB World Grand Prix, Jang Yoon-hee played a crucial role in the national team's bronze medal victory at the 1997 Kobe event. She also participated in the 1999 FIVB Volleyball World Cup, where the team achieved a 4th place finish. Jang Yoon-hee was also part of the South Korean contingent at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where she served as the captain of the women's national volleyball team, showcasing her leadership qualities on the global stage. Following the 1996 Summer Olympics, she temporarily stepped down from the national team, but her dedication led her to return in 1998, rejoining the squad for further international challenges. In 2002, after her initial retirement from indoor volleyball, she also represented South Korea in beach volleyball at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

4.1. Individual Awards

Jang Yoon-hee garnered numerous individual awards throughout her career, attesting to her skill and influence. She was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the Year by journalists in 1989 and again in 1991. Her exceptional serving abilities were highlighted when she was named "Best Server" at the 1989 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup. Similarly, her defensive prowess was acknowledged with the "Best Defender" award at the 1991 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup, where she was also selected as part of the FIVB World Cup Best 6.

Her leadership and performance were further recognized with the Olympic Asia Regional Qualifier MVP award in 1996. Within the domestic South Korea Volleyball Super League, she was a dominant force, earning the Super League MVP title five times (in 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 1999). Her consistent excellence also saw her selected for the Super League Best 6 on ten occasions, spanning from 1988 to 2000 (1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). She also received specific recognition for her attacking skills, earning the Super League Best Attacker award in 1994, the Super League Best Server award in 1996, and the Super League Best Defender award in 2002, even in her final professional season.

4.2. Team Medals and Honors

Jang Yoon-hee's career was synonymous with team success, particularly with her club, Honam Oil (later GS Caltex), and the national team.

• 1990 Beijing Asian Games: Silver Medal (Team)
• 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games: Gold Medal (Team)
• 1998 Bangkok Asian Games: Silver Medal (Team)
• 1997 World Grand Prix (Kobe): Bronze Medal
• South Korea Volleyball Super League Championships: 9 consecutive titles (1990-91 to 1998-99) with Honam Oil/GS Caltex.

5.1. Coaching and Managerial Roles

Jang Yoon-hee embarked on a coaching career after her playing days. In 2010, she served as a coach for her former club, GS Caltex. Her expertise and experience were also called upon at the national level, as she served as a coach for the South Korea women's national volleyball team from 2016 to 2018. More recently, she has taken on significant developmental roles, becoming the head coach of the South Korea women's U-18 national volleyball team in 2020 and assuming the directorship of Jungang Girls' High School's volleyball team in 2021, focusing on nurturing future generations of players.

5.2. Commentary and Administrative Activities

Beyond coaching, Jang Yoon-hee has also contributed to volleyball as a media personality and an administrator. In 2011, she joined MBC Sports+ as a volleyball commentator, providing expert analysis and insights to fans. She continued her commentary career with SPOTV in 2018. Her administrative involvement includes serving as a director of the Korea Volleyball Association in 2005, a role that allowed her to contribute to the organizational aspects and strategic direction of the sport in South Korea.