▲ Hyundai Capital players celebrate their victory
Men's professional volleyball team Hyundai Capital secured a victory in their return to the Cup competition with a full-strength roster for the first time in two years.
In the opening match of Group A of the tournament held today (October 19) at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Hyundai Capital defeated OK Savings Bank with a set score of 3-2 (25-22, 17-25, 25-20, 16-25, 15-10).
Last year, Hyundai Capital withdrew midway from the Cup competition, citing a player shortage after administrative errors by the Korea Volleyball Federation led to the tournament conflicting with International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) regulations.
Hyundai Capital claimed victory as Zhang Chuan and Leo scored 18 and 14 points respectively, with support from Huh Su-bong who added 11 points.
Hyundai Capital evenly utilized 15 players, displaying characteristics suited for a prelude to the V-League opening, while OK Savings Bank fought back with 10 players but fell after a full set.
For OK Savings Bank, Russell showcased his firepower with 25 points, and veteran Jeon Kwang-in performed well with 18 points and an attack success rate of 77.78%, but they did not have the last laugh.
In the matchup between KEPCO and KB Insurance, where new head coaches made their debut matches, Suk Jin-wook's KEPCO emerged victorious.
KEPCO won against KB Insurance with a set score of 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21) in the subsequent Group B match held at the same venue.
Ahead of this season, KEPCO entrusted the helm to head coach Suk Jin-wook, while KB Insurance recruited Isanaye Ramirez, a former head coach of the men's national team.
For KEPCO, Sherone Vernon-Evans—who played under the registered name 'Venon' last season and changed it to 'Show' this season—led the attack with 23 points, while Shin Yung-suk built a stone wall with 13 points, including 5 blocks.
For KB Insurance, new foreign attacker Linus Weber made a successful debut with 22 points, while Hong Sang-hyuk scored 19 points and Asian Quarter player Tarucha Chames (registered name Tarucha) added 10 points.
In the Group A match between Korean Air and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Korean Air won with a set score of 3-1 (25-21, 28-26, 16-25, 25-20).
Ahead of this season, Korean Air recruited Keturiski Sender (registered name Keturiski) to make another bid for the championship, while Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance appointed head coach Tommi Tiilikainen.
The side that smiled in the so-called "Tiilikainen Derby" was Korean Air.
For Korean Air, 207-cm-tall foreign attacker Keturiski played a stellar role with 28 points, while Jung Ji-suk (18 points) and Kim Kyu-min (10 points) showed their consistent performances.
They also overwhelmed their opponents in team blocking with 13 to 8.
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance also raised expectations for the new season as their new Brazilian foreign player Felipe Roque (registered name Roque) showed strong decisiveness with 28 points.
(Photo provided by Korea Volleyball Federation, Yonhap News)
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