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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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| Photo courtesy=KOVO |
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Although 'Unity' has failed to win, there is still a possibility of winning five consecutive championships. The main character heading to the championship game became Korean Air.
Korean Air won the shutout with a 3-0 set score (25-20, 25-20, 29-27) in the third round of the men's playoff in the V-League 2024-2025 season at Kyungmin University Gymnasium in Uijeongbu on the 30th.
As a result, KB Insurance seems to have finally failed to reverse the trend that has changed since Yoo Kwang-woo's introduction in the third set of the first game.
At the start of the playoffs, veterans such as Kwak Seung-seok as an outside heater and Kim Kyu-min as a middle blocker, as well as the main setter Han, came forward. However, as the initial flow was not good, Yoo Kwang-woo, Jeong Han-yong, and Choi Jun-hyuk were immediately put in.
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Unfortunately, he missed the first game, but he finished the second and third games with a 3-0 shutdown, showing off his thick depth and potential as a unified winning team for the fourth consecutive time.
In addition to the main catcher Russell (22 points), Kim Min-jae (11 points), Jung Ji-seok (10 points) and Jeong Han-yong (9 points) supported them.
KB Insurance is a team that has overcome its five consecutive losses at the beginning of the season. Hwang Taek-ui, who returned from military service, Leonardo Aponso, who joined during the season, and Jakub, a replacement Asian quarter, created a dramatic synergy effect. He won seven consecutive games over three to four rounds and nine consecutive wins in four to six rounds, beating Korean Air to secure second place in the regular league standings.
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However, in the playoffs, he faced a clear difference in power with Korean Air. Korean Air recruited a new foreign player Russell to strengthen its height and serve, and failed to cope with the changing trend as the main setter changed from Han player to Yoo Kwang-woo. Hwang Taek, who led total volleyball, failed to make a breakthrough when he was blocked from using or using his skills.
Na Kyung-bok (16 points) and Jakub (13 points) struggled in the match, but the poor performance of the main catcher Villena (10 points) was regrettable.
Korean Air coach Tommy Tilikainen, who met him before the game, said, `The second game was so good. I will fight without regret. This is going to be our day,' he said, expressing confidence. As for Yoo Kwang-woo, he praised him for having the ability to utilize various attack options.
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"Korean Air only did so well in the last game," KB Insurance coach Leonardo Afonso said. "If you don't get behind in defense and serve, it's worth trying." expressed his intentions.
Korean Air took the lead by winning the first set. He shook the opponent's defense with a strong serve, and led 13-6 with his dominance in the center, including fastball and blocking. Even after that, he did not allow pursuit with strong attack power such as Jeong Han-yong's serve ace.
Russell stepped up in the second set. In the second set alone, he scored nine points and slammed the opponent's court. The set ended with a 17-13 and 23-18 difference.
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The third set was a little different. KB Insurance seemed to have finally found the answer. Yakub and Na Kyung-bok seemed to easily make up for a set when they played 9-3 and 16-11, playing a breakthrough role.
However, Korean Air's counterattack began then. Yoo Kwang-woo's bullet toss toward Kim Min-jae and Kim Kyu-min created a series of fastballs, and Russell and Jeong Han-yong helped. Korean Air tied the score at 21-21.
The blood fight between the two teams led to deuce, but in the end, Korean Air won 29-27 to finish the game.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
