'Starting with Lee Min-gyu, closing out the show': Coach Seok Jin-wook's KEPCO defeats KB Insurance 3-1 [Yeosu On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Suwon KEPCO, which reinforced its roster with a new setter, announced a strong start to the cup tournament.

On the 19th, at the Jinnam Gymnasium in Yeosu, KEPCO defeated KB Insurance by a set score of 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21) in the first match of Group B in the group stage of the 2026 Yeosu-NH Nonghyup Cup Professional Volleyball Tournament (KOVO Cup).

KEPCO signed setter Lee Min-gyu as a free agent and acquired Jin Ji-wi through a trade, strengthening its lineup. With new head coach Seok Jin-wook taking the helm, the team began assessing its strength ahead of the new season.

On the other hand, KB Insurance entered the cup tournament amid a turbulent atmosphere after appointing Isanaje Ramirez, who led the national team at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games this month, as head coach and moving to Pyeongtaek as its temporary home base.

KEPCO's overwhelming dominance was evident. In the first set, they disrupted KB Insurance's reception with powerful serves, and setter Lee Min-gyu led the offense primarily through Sharon Vernon Evans (registered name: Show) and Yoon Ha-jun to take the set.

The keywords for the second set were blocking and Asian quota outside hitter Usman Fayad Ali (registered name: Usman). Usman, who had a disappointing performance in the first set, accounted for the team's highest score of 5 points in the second set. He committed no errors.

Veteran middle blocker Shin Young-seok blocked three of KB Insurance's attacks in the second set alone, scoring 5 points. Both of his offensive attempts also resulted in points.

Meanwhile, KB Insurance fought back with Linus Weber (registered name: Linus) and Hong Sang-hyeok each scoring 7 points, but they had to swallow their disappointment as they failed to stop Shin Young-seok's quick attack and Show's open attack in a deuce situation.

KB Insurance launched a counterattack in the third set. From a 15-15 tie, they took the lead on consecutive errors by the opponent, and at 20-18, Hong Sang-hyeok's quick open also landed, making it appear as if they were mounting a comeback.

They wavered again at 23-20. Linus's serve hit the net, and Hong Sang-hyeok's attack went out of bounds, but Hong Sang-hyeok recovered to reach set point, and Linus slammed a back attack to take the third set.

However, the match was ultimately decided in the fourth set. From the early part of the set, KEPCO extended their lead to 7-1 through opponent errors, blocks by Seo Jae-deok and Shin Young-seok, and Show's open attacks. Thereafter, KEPCO consistently maintained their point advantage to secure the victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original