'Moma and Kang So-hui combine for 39 points' Korea Expressway Corporation crushes GS Caltex 3-1, secures first win in KOVO Cup [Yeosu On-Site Review]

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The women's professional volleyball team Korea Expressway Corporation defeated GS Caltex to record their first win in the Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) Cup tournament.

Led by acting head coach Kim Young-rae, the Korea Expressway Corporation dominated GS Caltex 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19) in Group B of the group stage at the 2026 Yeosu and NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament held on the 12th at Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu.

With this victory, the Korea Expressway Corporation secured a favorable position for advancing from Group B. Only three teams are in Group B: the two aforementioned teams and Hyundai E&C. The Korea Expressway Corporation will face Hyundai E&C on the 14th, while GS Caltex will play them on the 16th. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinal tournament.

The Korea Expressway Corporation seized the initiative. After trailing 1-3 early in the set, they quickly pulled ahead to 6-3 thanks to two consecutive service aces by Moma and a successful open attack by Kang So-hui.

Riding their momentum, the Korea Expressway Corporation extended their lead to 15-9 with a service ace by Kim Da-eun, a quick open by Mami, and a block by Kang So-hui.

GS Caltex refused to give up and launched a chase, but the Korea Expressway Corporation repeatedly cut off their opponents' pursuit with Moma leading the charge. In the first set alone, Moma scored 7 points, while Mami and Kang So-hui contributed 5 and 4 points, respectively. Mami's attacking success rate in the first set reached 83.33%.

Unlike the first set, the second set remained tightly contested until the midpoint. GS Caltex saw Silva fully come alive, but the Korea Expressway Corporation also continued their relentless pursuit.

Trailing GS Caltex, the Korea Expressway Corporation turned the tide with a block by Kim Se-bin and further momentum from Park Jung-a. The gap began to widen as a service ace by Kim Da-eun and a block by Moma were added.

GS Caltex immediately attempted to close the gap, but the Korea Expressway Corporation took the second set with a block by Kim Hyeon-ji, a service ace by Moma, and consecutive blocks by Kang So-hui and Kim Se-bin.

Cornered, GS Caltex launched a counterattack in the third set. Kim Mi-yeon, making her first appearance of the day, lifted the team's atmosphere early on, while Choi Ga-eun and Tanatcha also contributed to help extend their lead to 13-8.

However, the Korea Expressway Corporation did not crumble easily. Park Jung-a completely shifted the momentum with three consecutive points, including a quick open and a block, and they closed the gap to within one point at 16-17, aided by an attacking error from their opponents.

This time, GS Caltex showed superior focus in the closing moments. Silva capitalized on unstable receiving from their opponents to score, and a service ace by Choi Yu-rim quickly widened the gap again as they took the third set.

GS Caltex maintained their momentum early in the fourth set, leading 10-6. However, the Korea Expressway Corporation launched a fierce chase with consecutive points from Kim Se-in, Moma, and Lee Yun-jung. The Korea Expressway Corporation's drive to end the match clashed intensely with GS Caltex's determination to force a fifth set.

The Korea Expressway Corporation demonstrated superior focus after the midpoint of the set. Starting with a point won at the end of a breathless rally while trailing 14-17, they quickly reversed the score to 18-17 by capitalizing on consecutive errors from their opponents and adding a back attack by Moma.

Fully energized, the Korea Expressway Corporation shook off GS Caltex's pursuit with an open attack by Kang So-hui and consecutive blocks by Kim Se-in and Kang So-hui to sound the victory bell.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original