KAL Beats Hyundai in Volleyball Duel

It was last December 22 when the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers were holding a media day event. Kim Ho-chul, manager of the champions of the 2005-2006 season, made an unexpected prediction: “With their young and talented players such as Shin Young-soo and Kang Dong-jin, Korean Air could be a formidable opponent, even more than Samsung Insurance.”

His prediction turned out to be correct.

Yesterday, on December 31, at Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium located in Cheonan, Hyundai Capital suffered a bitter defeat against Korean Air. Ever since February 2005, when the pro volleyball league was first founded, Hyundai Capital had never lost against Korean Air. They had won all four games against KAL in the 2005 season and got seven victories over Korean Air in seven games in the 2005-2006 season.

In their first duel this season, however, with their young guns and a new foreign player, Korean Air was not the team it used to be. Korean Air pushed Hyundai Capital harshly from the first set. When the two teams were tied 27-27 deuce, Kang Dong-jin’s cross-court attack and Bobby’s service ace gave the set to Korean Air.

After giving away the second set, Korean Air won the third set which they had almost lost. Korean Air was losing 22-24, but came from behind thanks to a backcourt attack by Bobby and three scores by Shin Young-soo.

With the set score 2-2, the two teams met in the fifth set to break the tie. The tense game which was balanced 9-9 tipped to Korean Air’s favor 11-9 with Kang Dong-jin’s open attack and Sean Rooney’s (Hyundai Capital) fault.

Korean Air’s right attacker Bobby made 41 points, the most for both teams, and Shin Young-soo (21 points) and Kang Dong-jin (14 points) also made significant contributions to the impressive victory.

Hyundai Capital suffered their second loss of the season (two wins) after the opening game of the season against Samsung Insurance.

Meanwhile, Samsung Insurance enjoyed a 3-0 shutout win over Sangmu. Without a loss, they have reeled off four wins in a row. LIG also beat Kepco, 3-0.

uni@donga.com