"I was overwhelmed by the cheers and passion of the Busan fans" — Even a veteran foreign player in the V-League was stunned by the volleyball fever! OK Savings Bank holds new-season kickoff event with 1,077 attendees

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

OK Savings Bank Ummen, entering its second season in Busan, announced the start of the new season before more than 1,000 home fans. The team aims to look toward a higher level after shaking off the regret of failing to reach the postseason ("spring volleyball") despite strong ticket sales in its first year following the relocation.

The OK Savings Bank volleyball team announced that it held the "2026-2027 Season OK Ummen Pro Volleyball Team Open Match & Kickoff Event" at the Busan Gangseo Indoor Gymnasium on the 17th. A total of 1,077 fans visited the venue to reaffirm their resolve for the new season alongside the players.

OK Savings Bank relocated its home base from Ansan to Busan last year. In its first season, the team finished sixth in the regular season with a record of 17 wins and 19 losses and 50 points, failing to advance to the postseason. However, it showed strong form at home with a 13-5 record and recorded an average attendance of 3,334, ranking first among men's teams. The streak of sold-out weekend home games also confirmed the team's potential for settling in Busan.

This kickoff event was also an opportunity to repay the support of Busan fans and introduce the newly formed roster for the first time. Prior to the main event, the team played an open match against KEPCO VIXX Tom to check its competitive readiness. There have been no few changes at OK Savings Bank ahead of the new season.

The team selected Kyle Russell (33; registered name: Russell) with the first overall pick in the foreign player draft and signed 200-cm tall middle blocker Mehran Peyjehamdoost (25; registered name: Peize) through the Asian quota. Through trades and compensation players, it brought in Noh Jae-wook (34), Kim Jung-ho (29), Kim Do-hoon (28), and Kim Jun-ho (24), while 190-cm tall setter Kim Dae-hwan (21) also joined the team.

Recently, OK Savings Bank focused on adjusting its new lineup during a training camp in Hiroshima, Japan. In particular, Head Coach Shin Young-cheol (62) concentrated on checking the chemistry between the new setters and attackers, as well as methods to leverage the strengths of Russell and Peize. He emphasized "visual volleyball," where players directly observe and experience fast and precise Japanese volleyball.

After the open match concluded, an official kickoff ceremony was held along with introductions of the head coach, coaching staff, and players. Head Coach Shin stated, "When we first met Busan fans last season, we were able to achieve good results at home thanks to your support," adding, "This season, we will repay your support with better performance and results alongside our players."

Jeon Gwang-in (35), who newly took on the role of team captain this season, also reaffirmed his resolve. Last year, he entered Busan as a new member of OK Savings Bank, but this year he leads the team from the center of the roster. Previously, during the training camp in Japan, he expressed that despite feeling the burden of the captaincy, he wanted to be as much of a support to his teammates as possible.

At the kickoff event, Jeon Gwang-in said, "I like the expression 'the beginning is small, but the end will be great.' The start may be small, but I believe we can develop further." He added, "As the season progresses, we will strive to show better performance and provide joy to fans with results better than last year."

New faces also made their debut before Busan fans. Kim Jung-ho, Kim Do-hoon, Kim Dae-hwan, Noh Jae-wook, Peize, Russell, and Kim Jun-ho greeted the audience in turn, interacting closely with fans through a "NEW Ummen Dance Debut."

In particular, Russell said, "Last season, when I visited Busan as a player for an opposing team, I was overwhelmed by the incredible cheers and passion of the fans." He continued, "Now, as a member of the OK Ummen volleyball team, I am excited to play while receiving that passionate support. We will show good form this season."

Subsequently, events including a championship-praying ceremony with players and fans, a Q&A session, prize drawings, and group commemorative photos were held. At the end of the event, players exchanged high-fives directly with fans as they left.

After completing the kickoff event, OK Savings Bank will begin full-scale competitive preparation through the 2026 KOVO Cup Pro Volleyball Tournament, which opens on the 19th. The task for the second season is to connect the commercial potential confirmed in Busan with on-court results.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original