"Let's forget about 6th place" — Announcing a new start in Busan! OK Savings Bank to hold 2026–2027 season kickoff event and open match against KEPCO on the 17th

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The OK Savings Bank U-Men volleyball team, which failed to advance to spring volleyball despite a hot ticket-selling run in its first year after relocating its home base to Busan last season, will announce the start of the new season before Busan fans alongside new faces.

OK Savings Bank announced on the 15th that it will hold the "2026–2027 Season OK U-Men Pro Volleyball Team Open Match & Kickoff Event" at the Busan Gangseo Indoor Gymnasium on the 17th.

It is an occasion for the team to officially greet Busan fans ahead of the start of the 2026–2027 season. The open match and kickoff event held that day will be live-streamed on the online streaming platform SOOP, allowing fans who cannot attend in person to participate online as well.

OK Savings Bank finished last season, its first year after moving its home base from Ansan to Busan, with a record of 17 wins and 19 losses and 50 points, placing 6th and failing to advance to spring volleyball. However, it achieved success in settling into Busan, recording a home record of 13 wins and 5 losses and an average attendance of 3,334 spectators, ranking first in the men's division. The team also confirmed potential beyond its standings, as sellouts continued for weekend home games.

Significant changes have occurred within the roster for the new season. The team selected Kyle Russell (33, registered name: Russell) with the overall first pick in the foreign player draft and signed 200cm tall middle blocker Mehran Peyjehamdoost (25, registered name: Peize) under the Asian quota. Russell's strengths include a powerful serve, high hitting point, and ability to handle high balls, while Peize is expected to be a key reinforcement for the center due to his combination of height and speed.

The setter position has also been newly arranged. Veteran Noh Jae-wook (34) was acquired via trade, and 190cm tall setter Kim Dae-hwan (21) joined the team. Outside hitter Kim Jung-ho (29), libero Kim Do-hoon (28), and opposite Kim Jun-ho (24), brought in as FA compensation picks, also donned new uniforms.

Recently, during a training camp in Hiroshima, Japan, OK Savings Bank operated most of its key players, including Russell and Peize, focusing on checking the coordination between the new setter lineup and attackers, as well as blocking and defensive positioning. Head coach Shin Young-cheol (62) emphasized "visual volleyball," where players experience Japan's fast and precise volleyball to identify their own shortcomings themselves.

This kickoff event is the first stage where Busan fans can directly see the newly revamped OK Savings Bank team. An open match against KEPCO VIXTOM will be held from 2 p.m., featuring new faces such as Russell, Peize, Kim Jung-ho, Noh Jae-wook, Kim Do-hoon, Kim Jun-ho, and Kim Dae-hwan before the home fans.

Following the match, there will be introductions of the head coach, coaching staff, and players, after which Head Coach Shin and team captain Jeon Gwang-in will state their determination for the new season. Events including greetings from newly joined players, fan Q&A, a championship prayer ceremony, fan participation events, prize drawings, and commemorative photos are also planned.

Admission tickets are 10,000 won for all seats, and spectators will be provided with cheering T-shirts and cheering tools. Tickets can be reserved on the official KOVO website, and on-site purchases are available on game day. The second floor of Gangseo Indoor Gymnasium will not be in operation due to seat replacement construction for improved viewing conditions.

An OK Savings Bank club official stated, "We thank the fans who have shown us much love and enthusiastic support since our first year after relocating our home base to Busan last season." The official added, "This kickoff event is an occasion for the team to directly greet Busan fans and reaffirm their determination ahead of the new season. We ask for your unwavering support and interest this season as well, and we will prepare to create a fun time that we can share with our fans."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original