‘Ketjinski and Jung Ji-seok combine for 31 points’ Korean Air delivers 3-0 rout of Hyundai Capital, wins opener [Incheon on-site review]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Men’s pro volleyball ‘defending champion’ Korean Air crushed rival Hyundai Capital to mark its V-League opener with a victory.

Led by head coach Henan Dal Joto, Korean Air defeated Hyundai Capital 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-22) in the Round 1 opening match of the 2026–2027 HK Hwang Hee Financial V-League men’s division, held at Incheon Gyeoyang Gymnasium on the 31st.

Korean Air, which had also defeated Hyundai Capital to claim the title in last season’s championship finals, took its first step toward defending its crown by beating Hyundai Capital again in the V-League opener following its Cup Tournament win before the season started.

New Korean Air foreign player Ketjinski accounted for a team-high 19 points, while Jung Ji-seok contributed 12 points. For Hyundai Capital, Jang Chuan, Leo, and Heo Su-bong all recorded double-digit scoring, but the team repeatedly fell short in late-game focus.

The action ignited from the first set. Early in the set, Hyundai Capital would pull ahead only for Korean Air to chase immediately; after the midpoint, the dynamic reversed, with Hyundai Capital quickly closing in on Korean Air’s lead. A one-point margin and ties persisted into the late stages of the set.

Hyundai Capital took a 19-18 lead by blocking Jung Ji-seok’s open attack via Choi Min-ho, but Korean Air immediately retook the lead, capitalizing on an opponent service error and Jung Ji-seok’s open attack. Korean Air then extended its advantage with further opponent errors.

Having secured the first set, Korean Air held its lead without any reversal. In a 23-22 situation, Kim Gyu-min’s quick attack and an opponent’s hold-hit error yielded consecutive points, allowing Korean Air to take control of the opening set. Ketjinski scored eight points in the first set alone, with an attacking efficiency rate reaching 87.5%.

Hyundai Capital, which had dropped the first set, seized control early in the second set. Adding consecutive points from Hwang Seung-bin and Heo Su-bong among others, it pulled ahead 4-1. However, Korean Air immediately counterattacked. After equalizing with Jung Ji-seok’s block and Han Seon-woo’s service ace, Kim Gyu-min’s block flipped the score in Korean Air’s favor.

Thereafter, Korean Air widened the gap with consecutive points from Ketjinski, Jung Ji-seok, and Kim Gyu-min. Undeterred, Hyundai Capital closed to 16-17 with consecutive points from Jang Chuan, Leo, and Choi Min-ho. The second set, which had appeared to tilt toward Korean Air, reverted to a tightly contested battle.

Korean Air prevailed in late-game focus. Hyundai Capital initially seized the momentum, erasing a three-point deficit through consecutive points from Jang Chuan and Leo to tie at 21-21, then took a 22-21 lead on Heo Su-bong’s service ace.

However, Korean Air retook the lead with an opponent service error and Im Dong-hyuk’s service ace, then capitalized on Hyundai Capital’s shaky reception as Kim Min-jae added a point to secure the advantage. Although Im Dong-hyuk’s subsequent attack was blocked, it struck Im Dong-hyuk’s shoulder and landed inside Hyundai Capital’s court for a fortunate point, allowing Korean Air to take the second set as well.

Cornered, Hyundai Capital launched a counterattack in the third set. Leading with Leo and Heo Su-bong, it built an early 9-6 lead. But Korean Air did not back down easily, closing to 10-11 behind Ketjinski. A fierce battle ensued between Hyundai Capital’s attempt to shift momentum and Korean Air’s drive to end the match.

The game continued with Hyundai Capital pulling ahead only for Korean Air to chase immediately. Once again, Korean Air held the edge in late-set focus. In a 18-18 tie, a video review revealed an over-net error by Hyundai Capital’s Lee Jun-hyeop, giving Korean Air a 19-18 lead.

Taking control, Korean Air began to solidify its advantage with Ketjinski’s back attacks. Pushed to the brink, Hyundai Capital fought back to tie at 20-20, but Korean Air’s focus, with victory within reach before home fans, remained unshaken until the end.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original