The "Computer Setter" Sets the Tone for 21-Year-Old Kim Dae-hwan, Who Will Carry the Future of OK Savings Bank [Yeosu On-Site]

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"If he corrects his habitual (poor) tosses and plays a bit faster, he will become a good setter."

Shin Young-cheol (62), head coach of Busan OK Savings Bank and a former "famous setter," did not hide his expectations for rookie setter Kim Dae-hwan (21), who is expected to shoulder the team's future.

OK Savings Bank lost 2-3 (22-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-16, 10-15) in a five-set thriller against Cheonan Hyundai Capital Life Insurance in the first match of Group A at the 2026 Yeosu NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament (KOVO Cup), held on the 19th at Yeosu Jinnam Gymnasium.

While the loss is certainly disappointing, the team also achieved some desired results, considering the significant changes made to the roster before the season.

In particular, Kim Dae-hwan, signed in September, started as the main setter on this day. Although the team had brought in veteran No Jae-wook (34) via trade to fill the void left by Lee Min-gyu's departure as a free agent, they judged that it was insufficient. In September, the team signed Kim Dae-hwan, a setter from Sungkyunkwan University, on a total compensation package of 70 million won (50 million won in salary and 20 million won in options).

Kim Dae-hwan, who was drafted by Seoul Woori Card in the third round with the second pick as a high school graduate in the 2023 rookie draft, enrolled at Sungkyunkwan University in 2025 to gain experience. Standing at 190 cm tall, the setter joined the team after taking a leave of absence from university. Despite having No Jae-wook on the roster, the team concluded that looking further ahead, they ultimately needed a young setter like Kim Dae-hwan.

Kim Dae-hwan, making his official debut on the professional stage, managed the game by distributing plays evenly to Kyle Russell (registered name: Russell, 25 points), Jeon Gwang-in (18 points), Kim Jung-ho (13 points), and Mzlan Feijemamudust (registered name: Feize, 11 points). The proportion of open attacks was only 7.8%, while quick opens (47.8%) and speed plays (25.6%) were higher than those of Hyundai Capital Life Insurance.

After the match, head coach Shin Young-cheol praised Kim Dae-hwan, saying, "Kim Dae-hwan played better today than at the opening ceremony. If he corrects his occasional habitual tosses and plays a bit faster, he will become an even better setter." He added, "I expected him to be very nervous, but he worked hard in his own way."

Kim Dae-hwan is expected to take on the heavy responsibility of leading the team this season. Head coach Shin Young-cheol emphasized Kim Dae-hwan's role, stating that the team's current level of completion is about 60% compared to the expected power. While noting that it would be difficult to quickly raise the level of completion in a short period, he said, "Since a new setter has come in, it will not be easy to change things immediately because he is not an experienced setter," adding that it is "an area we need to find as the rounds progress."

For the growth of the young setter, reliable performances from the aces are also important. He said, "Even if the setter gives difficult balls, I think the aces like Russell or (Jeon) Gwang-in should resolve those situations and help cover for him further."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original