In the postseason, as the outcome is determined by just one game, we have no choice but to decide carefully. Even Hyundai Capital coach Choi Tae-woong, who is known as a resourceful strategist, is contemplating the lineup for a long time.
Coach Choi’s biggest concern was the vacancy of main gun Jeon Kwang-in, who left due to an ankle injury ahead of the postseason. Jeon Kwang-in played 34 games (122 sets) this season and showed excellent performance in both offense and defense with 406 points, an attack success rate of 55.69%, a receiving efficiency of 40.03%, and 1.828 digs per set. Finding a replacement for Jeon Kwang-in, who played an active role as the team’s ace, was not an easy task.
The first leg of the playoff (PO) with KEPCO held on the 24th. Prior to the game on this day, attention was focused on the replacement of Jeon Kwang-in.
Coach Choi selected veteran Moon Seong-min (37) after much consideration. He said, “At first, I was planning to put in Park Sang-ha, but I changed my mind.” He expressed his trust, saying, “Moon Seong-min took good care of his body and is a player who sets an example for his juniors.”
Moon Seong-min scored 18 points with a 70% attack success rate that day, meeting coach Choi’s expectations. Coach Choi smiled, saying, “I thought he would show his strength in a difficult game, but today I think he met my expectations.”
However, it was on the day of the game that Moon Seong-min was notified of the participation. Moon Seong-min explained, “I got a call from the coach 10 minutes before going to the training ground this morning.” However, Moon Seong-min, who was always preparing to compete, played his role without panic.
In the last game 3, setter Kim Myung-gwan (26), who has been in his 4th year since his debut, received a sudden call. Instead of starting player Lee Hyeon-seung, he became the starting setter and led the game. Regarding the appointment of Kim Myung-gwan as a starting pitcher, coach Choi explained, “I chose him because he has strengths in serving and blocking.”스포츠토토
Kim Myung-gwan scored 8 points (attack success rate 66.67%), including 1 serve and 5 blocks, in the third PO match against KEPCO held at Yu Gwan-sun Gymnasium in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do on the 28th. He also boasted an elaborate toss and led the team to victory.
It was a performance that made Director Choi smile widely. Coach Choi applauded the game, saying, “I was worried because I hadn’t experienced PO, but both serve and blocking showed satisfactory skills.”
Regarding the notification of participation on the day of the match, he confessed, “Originally, for the convenience of the players, we announce the day before, but in this PO, that is not the case.”
However, Kim Myung-gwan expressed his confidence, saying, “I have prepared well to repay the trust whenever the coach makes me participate.” From veteran Moon Seong-min to backup Kim Myung-gwan, all Hyundai Capital players are always waiting for spring volleyball.
Hyundai Capital caught the 1st and 3rd games in the PO with KEPCO and the 2nd best of 3 matches and reached the championship match 4 years after the 2018-2019 season. On the 30th, at Gyeyang Gymnasium in Incheon, we will play the first round of the championship match against Korean Air, which is ranked first in the regular league. The championship match will be played on a best-of-five basis. It is unknown what strategy Choi will come up with this time around, but all the players are fully prepared.