▲ Korean Air players cheering together
Korean Air is on the verge of advancing to the semifinals of the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Cup.
Korean Air defeated OK Financial Group 3-1 in their second Group A match of the men's division at the 2026 Yeosu-NH Nonghyup Cup Pro Volleyball Tournament held today (October 20) at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do.
With this victory, Korean Air improved to 2 wins, while OK Financial Group fell to 2 losses.
Setter Ryo Yamamoto (registered as Ryo), who joined Korean Air through the Asian quota as a former Japanese national team player, coordinated the offense and checked his physical condition.
Ryo also scored two points with powerful open attacks and a block.
Canadian opposite Xander Ketrzynski (registered as Ketrzynski) exploded for 24 points, while Jung Ji-suk and Jung Han-yong each contributed 12 points.
Middle blocker Kim Min-jae also added 10 points, giving Korean Air four players with double-digit scoring.
For OK Financial Group, Kyle Russell (registered as Russell with 22 points) and Iranian Asian quota middle blocker Mehran Feyzemamdoust (registered as Feiz with 14 points) stood out with their performances.
Feiz recorded four blocks.
However, due to lackluster scoring from domestic attackers, the team managed to win only one set.
In the subsequent Group B match, Woori Card shut out KB Insurance 3-0.
Manager Park Chul-woo, a "living legend" who took the helm at Woori Card in April of this year, earned his first official match victory.
Manager Isanaye Ramirez, who led the men's national volleyball team through the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games that concluded earlier this month before taking charge of KB Insurance, suffered losses to Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and now Woori Card, bringing his record to 2 losses and eliminating the team from the final four.
Group B consists of three teams, meaning KEPCO, which already secured a win, and Woori Card have advanced to the semifinals.
The dual-threat duo of Rafael Araujo (registered as Araujo with 18 points) and Kim Hyung-keun (14 points) combined for 32 points to lead Woori Card to victory.
For KB Insurance, Linus Weber from Germany (registered as Linus) made a strong impression by racking up 17 points, including two blocks and one service ace.
(Photo courtesy of Korea Volleyball Federation, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.