Shocking loss to last place, complete defeat to rival... Korean Air is the 'leading player' who shakes his wings as he bends his wings

*This content was translated by AI.

Korean Air, the leader in men's professional volleyball, is shaking. At one point, he seemed to be gaining the dominance early on by continuing his 10-game winning streak, but he has only won one game (three losses) in the last four games. In particular, recently, the first consecutive defeat of the season has been lost, and concerns about the gap in the outside heater are emerging as a bitter reality as Lim Jae-young left due to injury following Jung Ji-seok.

Korean Air was completely defeated 0-3 (17-25, 14-25, 18-25) in the men's home game of Jin Air 2025-2026 professional volleyball V-League at Gyeyang Gymnasium in Incheon on the 4th. Before the game, Korean Air coach Henan Dal Zoto said, "The game was always tight when I played against Hyundai Capital, and there were many decisions in the second half. Today, I have to focus especially until the end," he said, signaling a fierce game, but the game ended in just an hour and 19 minutes.

It is the first consecutive defeat of the season following the 2-3 shock loss against Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, which is the "lowest" on the 1st. At that time, Korean Air seemed to be on the verge of winning the first two sets, but lost in vain after giving up three sets. Korean Air's momentum, which had been on a 10-game winning streak from late October to early December last year, led to a shocking defeat against the lowest team in the last four days and a helpless complete defeat against the rival team.

What the lethargic two-game losing streak has in common is the gap between outside heaters Jung Ji-seok and Lim Jae-young.

Jung Ji-seok, the leading striker, was out of the lineup last month after injuring his ankle during team training. It takes about eight weeks to return. On top of that, even Lim Jae-young, who had filled the gap in Jung Ji-seok, was injured during the match against Woori Card on the 28th of last month, and as a result of the diagnosis, he was diagnosed with cartilage plate damage in the left knee meniscus and was recently put on the operating table. Coincidentally, Korean Air lost both of the recent two games without Jung Ji-seok and Lim Jae-young without filling the gap.

Even the anomalous strategy that was ambitiously brought up in the Hyundai Capital match failed. On this day, Korean Air used foreign player Kyle Russell as an outside heater without Jung Ji-seok and Lim Jae-young, and placed a strong force with Lim Dong-hyuk as an apogee spiker. Even Hyundai Capital coach Philip Blanc said, "I didn't expect Russell to use an outside heater at all," which was an unconventional choice.

It was Russell's idea to maximize his offense, but in the end, Russell's reception became the target of the opponent's intensive attack, and the game was completely twisted. Korean Air lost helplessly after scoring less than 18 points in all three sets and had to bow down in front of home fans.

Coach Henan said, "We only had two days to work together (with the changed combination). I believed it would work, but unfortunately, I didn't succeed. "I'm responsible for all the responsibilities," he said. "The receiving was shaken a lot by the opponent's serve, and the attack was not possible. When I tried new things, all the cogs didn't fit. The full responsibility lies with me," he admitted.

The problem is that Korean Air will have to play in the absence of Jung Ji-seok and Lim Jae-young for the time being, and Korean Air's worries to fill the gap will inevitably continue. Jung Ji-seok is recovering well, and Lim Jae-young is also looking forward to an earlier-than-expected return due to the good progress of the surgery. According to the club, Lim Jae-young, who was originally ruled out of the season, is expected to return to the postseason, and Jung Ji-seok is also preparing to extend the timing of his return. Nevertheless, it takes a considerable amount of time for both to return, and Korean Air must find a solution until then.

Moreover, while failing to accumulate points recently, Korean Air has narrowed its gap with second-ranked Hyundai Capital to only three points. Korean Air has 41 points (14 wins and 5 losses) and Hyundai Capital has 38 points (12-7). Now, even the league leader can't be relieved. Coach Henan said, "We still have to take the lead and keep the lead. It is true that it is not an easy situation, but in this situation, we need to show our strong team," he said. "When we go back to the classical formation, we will think deeply about who will be the right puzzle." Korean Air will go on an expedition to Woori Card on the 8th.

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*This content was translated by AI.