[Official] 'Blocked by Thailand, direct LA trip canceled' — Korean women's volleyball team finalizes 12-member AG roster... Nam Ja (CEO)team receives emergency blood transfusion from Bang Kang-ho

*This content was translated by AI.

Having missed the chance to qualify directly for the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics, the Korean women's Yeo Ja-bae-gu (CEO)team now immediately turns its focus to restoring its honor.

The Korea Volleyball Association announced on the 3rd that it has finalized the 12th-member roster for the women's national volleyball team set to compete at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Summer Asian Games.

Head coach Cha Sang-hyun (52) assembled the Lee Kkeu-neun (CEO)team with two setters, one libero, two opposite spikers, four outside hitters, and three middle blockers.

Kim Da-in (Hyundai Construction) and Lee Soo-yeon (Korea Expressway Corporation) were selected as setters, while Hana-hye (SOOP) will serve as the libero. Na Hyun-soo (Hyundai Construction) and Park Eun-seo (SOOP) are assigned as opposite spikers.

Led by captain Kang So-hui (Korea Expressway Corporation), the outside hitter lineup includes Yuk Seo-young (IBK Industrial Bank of Korea), Lee Ye-rim (Hyundai Construction), and Kim Hyo-im (GS Caltex). In the middle, Park Eun-jin (Jung Kwan Jang), Lee Da-hyun who plays for Japan's NEC Red Rockets, and Jung Ho-young (Heungkuk Life) will start.

This tournament is crucial for a turnaround in momentum for the Korean women's volleyball team. Ranked 28th globally, Korea suffered a bitter defeat in the quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship held in Tianjin, China, last month.

In the group stage, Korea defeated Vietnam and Hong Kong but lost to Japan, finishing with two wins and one loss and advancing to the quarterfinals as the second-place team in its group. Notably, in the match against Hong Kong, Yuk Seo-young exploded for 22 points, while Lee Da-hyun contributed 14 points including four blocks and three aces, leading a 3-1 comeback victory.

However, they could not overcome the wall of Thailand, ranked 17th globally, in the quarterfinals. Although Na Hyun-soo scored 12 points and Kang So-hui added 10, it was not enough to turn the tide. Thailand, which shut out Korea, went on to defeat China in the final and claimed the Asian title along with a direct ticket to the LA Olympics.

Since its debut at the Asian Championship in 1975, Korea has consistently achieved top-four finishes except for skipping the 2021 tournament. However, following 2023, it failed to reach the semifinals for the second consecutive year. With neither the direct LA Olympic ticket nor the qualification spot for the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup secured through this tournament, Korea once again confirmed the challenge of restoring its international competitiveness.

As a result, the Asian Games, held just over two weeks away, has become not only a stage for results but also an opportunity to demonstrate the possibility of a rebound for Korean women's volleyball. Key players who competed together in the recent Asian Championship — Kang So-hui, Na Hyun-soo, Yuk Seo-young, and Lee Da-hyun — are regaining their central roles.

Korea has been drawn into Group D at the Asian Games alongside Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Qatar. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Starting with a match against Hong Kong on the 16th at 4 p.m., Korea will face Qatar on the 17th at 1 p.m. and Vietnam on the 18th at 4 p.m. All three group stage matches will be held at Park Arena Komaki. The Yeo Ja (CEO)team was called up to the Jincheon training village on the 1st to refine its organization and tactics, and is scheduled to depart for Japan via Incheon International Airport on the 13th.

Meanwhile, a variable emerged for the Nam Ja (CEO)team ahead of the tournament. Opposite spiker Shin Ho-jin (Hyundai Capital), who was preparing for the Asian Men's Championship, suffered a bruise on his foot during a practice match against Bahrain and was removed from the roster. In his place, rookie Bang Kang-ho (KEPCO) received an emergency call-up.

The 198cm tall attacker Bang Kang-ho gained attention for leading Jecheon Industrial High School to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Under-19 World Championship. Based on this achievement, he was selected as the first overall pick by KEPCO in the 2025–2026 KOVO Men's Rookie Draft and also won the Volleyball Star Award at the 2025 Futures Star Awards.

The Korea Volleyball Association stated that "Coach Isanaye Ramirez of the Nam Ja (CEO)team decided to prioritize treatment and preparation for the Asian Games over forcing Shin Ho-jin's participation, as his injury is not severe."

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*This content was translated by AI.