1. Overview
Lee Hyo-hee (이효희I Hyo-huiKorean; born August 26, 1980) is a prominent South Korean volleyball coach and former player, widely recognized for her exceptional career as a setter. Over her two-decade professional career in South Korea, she achieved remarkable success, securing Korean V-League championships with four different clubs: Daejeon KGC in the 2005-06 season, Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders in 2008-09, Hwaseong IBK Altos in 2013-14, and Gimcheon Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass in 2017-18. She was also a key member of the South Korea national team, contributing to significant international achievements, including a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games. Lee Hyo-hee was known for her leadership and longevity, notably being the oldest active player in the Women's Korean V-League during the 2018-19 season. Following her retirement as a player, her jersey number 5 was permanently retired by her club, the Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass, and the league, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential figures in South Korean volleyball.
2. Early Life and Background
Lee Hyo-hee was born on August 26, 1980, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Her upbringing in Suwon laid the foundation for her future in volleyball.
2.1. Childhood and Schooling
Lee Hyo-hee began her journey in volleyball at a young age, starting the sport in the fifth grade of elementary school. She continued to develop her skills throughout her schooling, eventually graduating from Suwon Hanil Information Science High School, which is now known as Hanbom High School.
2.2. Entry into Volleyball
Her introduction to volleyball in elementary school marked the beginning of a long and distinguished career. The specific circumstances that led her to the sport at such an early age are not detailed, but her early start allowed her to hone her skills and prepare for a professional career.
3. Club Career
Lee Hyo-hee's professional club career spanned two decades, during which she played for several prominent teams in the Korean V-League, achieving championship success with each.
3.1. Daejeon KGC (KT&G Arieru-zu)
Lee Hyo-hee began her professional career in 2000, joining the Daejeon KT&G Arieru-zu, which later became Daejeon KGC. As a setter, she quickly made an impact, leading the team to a championship victory in the 2005-06 season. She remained with the club until 2007, establishing herself as a key player in the league.
3.2. Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders
In 2007, Lee Hyo-hee declared free agency and subsequently transferred to the Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders. Her move proved successful, as she once again played a pivotal role as a championship setter, leading the team to another league title in the 2008-09 season. She continued with the Pink Spiders until the end of the 2009-10 season. Following this season, the team offered her a playing coach position, but she declined, opting to step back from professional play to allow younger players an opportunity. She then briefly played for an amateur corporate team.
3.3. Hwaseong IBK Altos
Lee Hyo-hee made a return to professional volleyball in 2011 when the Hwaseong IBK Altos was established as the sixth professional team in the Korean V-League. She joined as a founding member of the new club. In her second season with the team, the 2012-13 season, she was appointed as the team captain. Under her leadership, the IBK Altos secured a championship title, marking her third league championship as a setter. She remained with the club until the end of the 2013-14 season. During her time with IBK, she reportedly expressed the difficulty of meeting the high expectations for a championship setter, but credited her teammates, especially those who improved the team's reception in her second season, for their collective success.
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3.4. Gimcheon Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass
Following the 2013-14 season, Lee Hyo-hee again became a free agent and transferred to the Gimcheon Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass. This marked the final phase of her illustrious club career. During the 2014-15 V-League season, she was instrumental in leading the team to a runner-up finish and was recognized for her outstanding performance by being named the Regular Round MVP, an honor she shared with Nicole Fawcett. She also received a "Best 7" selection in the same season. She continued to play for the Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass until the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, consistently contributing to the team's performance and earning another championship title in the 2017-18 season.
4. National Team Career
Lee Hyo-hee had a distinguished career with the South Korean women's national volleyball team, representing her country in numerous major international competitions.
4.1. Major Tournaments and Achievements
Her national team career included participation in several significant tournaments:
- 2005 World Grand Champions Cup**: She was part of the national squad that competed in this prestigious international event.
- 2011 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship**: Lee Hyo-hee contributed to the team's bronze medal finish in this continental championship held in Taipei.
- 2014 Asian Games**: She played a crucial role in the South Korean team's gold medal victory at the Incheon Asian Games, a significant achievement on home soil.
- 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics**: She represented South Korea at the Rio Olympics, where the team achieved a joint fifth-place finish.
- 2018 Asian Games**: Lee Hyo-hee was part of the team that secured a bronze medal at the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.
5. Player Characteristics and Play Style
Lee Hyo-hee was renowned for her exceptional skills as a setter, characterized by her precise ball distribution and strategic playmaking. Beyond her technical abilities, she was a respected leader on the court, guiding her teams with experience and composure. Her longevity in the sport was particularly notable; she was recognized as the oldest active player in the Women's Korean V-League during the 2018-19 season, a testament to her dedication and physical conditioning. Standing at 68 in (173 cm), she weighed 132 lb (60 kg). Her spike reach was 110 in (280 cm) and her block reach was 107 in (271 cm), impressive metrics for a setter. Her playing style emphasized smart decision-making and the ability to elevate her teammates' performance through well-placed sets.
6. Awards and Honors
Lee Hyo-hee garnered numerous individual accolades and team championships throughout her illustrious professional volleyball career.
6.1. V-League Individual Awards
Her individual honors in the Korean V-League include:
- Setter Award**: 2007-08 season
- Setter Award**: 2008-09 season
- Season MVP**: 2013-14 season
- Season MVP**: 2014-15 season (Regular Round MVP, shared with Nicole Fawcett)
- Best 7 Selection**: 2014-15 season
6.2. League Championship Titles
Lee Hyo-hee's career is distinguished by her remarkable achievement of winning league championships with four different clubs:
- 2005-06 V-League Championship**: With Daejeon KT&G Arieru-zu (now Daejeon KGC)
- 2008-09 V-League Championship**: With Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders
- 2012-13 V-League Championship**: With Hwaseong IBK Altos
- 2017-18 V-League Championship**: With Gimcheon Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass
7. Retirement and Coaching Career
After a distinguished career spanning two decades, Lee Hyo-hee announced her retirement from professional play at the end of the 2019-20 season. Despite being eligible for free agency, she chose not to sign a new contract with her then-current team, Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass, signaling her decision to conclude her playing career. She expressed her desire to transition into coaching. Following her retirement as a player, she immediately joined the coaching staff of the Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass for the 2020-21 season, embarking on a new chapter in her volleyball journey.
8. Retirement Ceremony and Retired Number
Lee Hyo-hee's official retirement ceremony was held on February 27, 2021, during a home match between Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass and Hwaseong IBK Altos in the sixth round of the 2020-21 V-League season. In a significant tribute to her contributions to volleyball, both the Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) and her club, Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass, decided to permanently retire her jersey number 5. This honor recognized her immense dedication and achievements throughout her career. Lee Hyo-hee's number 5 became only the third jersey number to be retired in the history of professional volleyball in South Korea, following Robertlandy Simón's number 13 with Ansan OK Financial Group Okman (men's team) and Kim Sa-ni's number 9 with Hwaseong IBK Altos (women's team).
9. Evaluation and Influence
Lee Hyo-hee's impact on South Korean volleyball is profound, cementing her legacy as one of the sport's most influential figures. Her consistent performance as a top-tier setter for two decades, coupled with her leadership and ability to guide multiple teams to championship titles, speaks volumes about her skill and character. As the oldest active player in the league for several seasons, she served as an inspiration and role model for younger athletes, demonstrating remarkable longevity and dedication. Her transition to coaching further extends her influence, allowing her to impart her vast experience and knowledge to the next generation of players. The retirement of her jersey number signifies her enduring status as a legend in Korean volleyball, a testament to her exceptional career and lasting contributions to the sport.