Volleyball: Korean Air Beats Hyundai Capital

“My squad often makes mistakes at a critical moment, because they have no experience of winning through a championship series. It gets worse when they face strong opponents like Hyundai Capital or Samsung Fire Insurance,” said Mun Yong-gwan, coach of Korean Air, before a match against Hyundai Capital in pro volleyball Sunday.

Leading two sets to none, Korean Air was one point away from the win in the third set, but lost 26-24 and then the fourth set 25-19.

But the team won the fifth set, thanks to back-up setter Kim Yeong-seok’s clear-cut toss, followed by explosive play by other teammates. Kim, who has been a benchwarmer throughout his four-year career, helped to offset Hyundai Capital’s superior height.

Korean Air is second in the standings at 8-3, trailing Samsung Fire Insurance (10-1). Hyundai Capital had its six-game winning streak stopped, remaining in third at 7-4.

“Now I am relieved,” Coach Mun said after his team’s win. “Had we lost again, it could have hit morale. The players now have earned confidence to beat Hyundai Capital.”

Hyundai Capital Coach Kim Ho-cheol said, “We had better skills, but our opponent had better tenacity. The fact that we won every game in the second round made the players somewhat lax.”

“Korean Air has allowed Hyundai Capital many come-from-behind wins, but the team demonstrated crisis management today,” said a KBS sports commentator.

yjongk@donga.com