Yamato adaptation completed → Lim Sung-jin and Elian explosion KEPCO overpowered Korean Air at the end of the full set 'First Open win'
Oct 23, 2024
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KEPCO won the set score 3-2 (25-20, 22-25, 27-25, 20-18) against the Korean Air Jumbos in the men's Dodram 2024-2025 V-League at Suwon Indoor Gymnasium on the 23rd. KEPCO scored two points by winning its first game of the season. Korean Air, which added one point, recorded one win, one loss, and four points in the season.
KEPCO, which had not won a single cup competition, focused on keeping pace ahead of the season. Ha Seung-woo's enlistment in the military this season created a gap in the setter position, and he recruited Japanese setter Yamato Nakano through the Asian quarter system. Yamato was evaluated as having a solid basic skill and a sophisticated tosswork, but his hands and feet did not fit perfectly in the cup competition yet.
KEPCO coach Kwon Young-min said, `In the cup competition, Lim Sung-jin and Seo Jae-deok failed to train properly due to injuries. It should have been done even if it didn't fit because the main setter changed. I focused on working with Yamato after the cup competition, but it came up more than the cup competition"It's not 100% yet, it's about 70-80%. It's not a Yamato problem, but the part where the strikers handle the ball has improved."
Certainly, the game was more stable than the Cup. Lim Sung-jin performed the best, and Elian also played her part as a foreign catcher. On top of that, it shook Korean Air by effectively attacking quickly using Shin Young-seok and a forward line.
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In the second set, Korean Air succeeded in counterattack. Korean Air, which started the first set with Jeong Han-yong's score, later gave a clear lead as Yosvani added a quick open score and a blocked score. Afterwards, Korean Air, which cut off the pursuit of KEPCO with Kim Min-jae's blocking, brought the second set with Yosbani and Jeong Han-yong playing the role of troubleshooter.
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The fourth set was also followed by a close game. For KEPCO, Elian and Lim Sung-jin showed off their firepower, while for Korean Air, Jeong Han-yong and Kim Min-jae scored. See-saw game that unfolded until the end of the set. The winner was Korean Air. At 17-16, Jeong Han-yong shook the opponent's receiving, including a successful serve ace. Korean Air, which had earned a score of 20-16, was chased to 21-19, but Aref scored an open score followed by a lucky serve, raising the hope of the fifth set to 23-19. KEPCO's counterattack was also formidable. Following Yamato's sensational open attack at 21-24, Shin Young-seok's blocking scored 23 points. However, with the final score of Jeong Han-yong, the game went to the fifth set.
The atmosphere at the beginning of the fifth set was in Korean Air. 'Hongdae Duo' Lee Joon and Jeong Han-yong's attacks went in effect and hit it out. KEPCO narrowed the gap by adding Jung Sung-hwan's blocking following Elian's score. After that, Shin Young-seok's quick attack, Elian's quick open balanced 9-9. In the end, the game went to deuce. Korea Electric Power Corp., which led by Elian's score at 18-18, ended a long rally with Elian scoring once again. Korean Air requested an over-net video review, but the result did not change.
bellstop@sportschosun.com
