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| Korean Air coach Tilikainen is encouraging Choi Jun-hyuk in the KB Insurance match on the 18th. Photo courtesy =KOVO |
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| Korean Air players are happy after scoring against KB Insurance on the 18th. Photo courtesy =KOVO |
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| Korean Air foreign player Russell is hitting a spike in the KB Insurance match on the 18th. Photo courtesy =KOVO |
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The challenge to become the unified champion for the fifth consecutive year is a failure. Finished the regular season in third place.
Yosvani was selected by picking the first place through the least probability of 3.57%, but Yosvani ended the season in third place as he failed to perform properly due to injury. And Yosvani ended up missing the postseason with an injury. Korean Air has selected Kyle Russell as a new foreign player and has to work together in the final two games and now start the playoffs with KB Insurance.
Korean Air won the set score of 3-0 in the final match of the season against KB Insurance in the Dodram 2024 ￣ 2025 V-League at Kyungmin University Gymnasium in Uijeongbu on the 18th. Although the second and third places have already been decided, Korean Air's main players, including Han player Jung Ji-seok and Jeong Han-yong, participated because Russell had to work with his teammates. On the other hand, KB Insurance rested all of its main players, including Hwang Taek-ui, the main setter, and Na Kyung-bok, Biye Na-bok, and Park Sang-ha, Cha Young-seok, and sent out non-main games that had not been available to the court. Although they played a close game in every set, Korean Air ended the game with a 3-0 complete victory.
For Korean Air, it was important for Russell to work with the setter. In his first appearance on the 13th, he worked with Yoo Kwang-woo and hit Han's ball on the day. Hit a total of 35 spikes, 15 of which were successful. The attack success rate was 42.9 percent. He added two blocks and one serve ace to score 18 points, the most by both teams.
Finishing the season with 21 wins and 15 losses. Korean Air coach Tilikainen has always waited in the championship game as he ranked first in the regular league for three consecutive years since taking office, but this time he will start with the playoffs for the first time.
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| Korean Air foreign player Russell is looking at the opponent's court in the KB Insurance match on the 18th. Photo courtesy =KOVO |
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| Korean Air's Jung Ji-seok hits a spike in the KB Insurance match on the 18th. Photo courtesy =KOVO |
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| Korean Air's Choi Jun-hyuk is hitting a spike in the KB Insurance match on the 18th. Photo courtesy =KOVO |
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Coach Tilikainen said after the game that `the regular league is over and the playoffs are eight days away' and `It's a new atmosphere, a new game.'The playoffs foretold that it would be different from the regular league.
The key is how quickly Russell, the main catcher, adapts to the team and works well with setter Han player Yoo Kwang-woo. Coach Tilikainen said, `Russell worked with Yoo Kwang-woo in the previous game and Han today. They have different styles, but they both seem to have good chemistry, he said, giving a positive evaluation.
He doesn't seem to care much about the low success rate of the attack on the day. "I have faith in Russell," Tilichainen said. I think it will be a great help in the playoffsThe position itself is the place where you have to score. What's important is that it's a short period of time, but it's melted a lot into the team. I want to compliment that part. It's a great help."
It was meaningful that Russell played at Kyungmin University Gymnasium, where the first round of the playoffs will be held. Russell played for KEPCO and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance in the past, so he has memories of domestic gyms, but this is his first time at Kyungmin University Gymnasium. "I think Russell's play here today, regardless of the result of the game, will help the playoffs for the part of adapting to the court," Tilikainen said.
Now, we have to make a way to beat KB Insurance in a preparation period of about a week. Director Tillichainen said that Russell's adaptation was the top priority, saying that `I will focus on installing new weapons.'The schedule will be different for each individual. Some players will rest and rehabilitate, while others will train more. He also said, "I think we need to look for more tactical parts."
I have faith in the players who have won four consecutive championship games. Coach Tillichainen said, `We have veterans who have played a lot of big games. I have confidence that he will do a good job."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
