South Korea - KOVO V-League 2018/2019 + KOVO Cup 2018

  • KOVO Cup - Group B, Game 5 - Korea Expressway Corp. Hi-pass vs. Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders - August 10th, 2018




    Expressway Hi-pass 0 - 3 Heungkuk Pink Spiders ( 19 - 25, 23 - 25, 14 - 25 ), stats


    Replay: http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=462044&redirect=true (Korea only)



    Expressway Hi-pass:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    18.
    Yoo Seo-Yeun [OH]
    12 12/27 (44.44%) 0 0 12 14.29% 1
    4. Jeon Sae-Yan [OH] 8 6/22 (27.27%) 1 1 11 20.00% 4
    13.
    Jung Dae-Young [MB]
    7 4/18 (22.22%) 0 3 4 -- 1
    7. Ha Hye-Jin [OH] 5 5/29 (17.24%) 0 0 7 100.00% 1
    11.
    Jeong Sun-Ah [MB]
    4 3/9 (33.33%) 0 1 3 -- 2
    6.
    Woo Su-Min [OH]
    3 1/17 (5.88%) 0 2 7 23.08% 5
    3.
    Kim Hye-Won [S]
    2 1/3 (33.33%) 0 1 11 -- 2
    15.
    Park Hye-Mi [Li]
    0 -- -- -- 23 30.00% 0
    Team 41 32/125 (25.60%) 1 8 78 23.08% 18*

    Total Points: 56, Score Points: 41, Attacks: 32 (from 125 at 25.60%), Aces: 1, Blocks: 8, Digs: 78, Receptions: 23.08% =(20E - 5F)/65, Errors: 18 (* incl. 2 rotation error). Unused Sub: 12. Moon Jung-Won [OP].



    Heungkuk Pink Spiders:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    12. Gong Yun-Hui [OH] 14 11/33 (33.33%) 2 1 12 31.25% 2
    16. Lee Han-Bi [OH] 12 10/28 (35.71%) 0 2 16 47.06% 2
    13. Kim Se-Young [MB] 11 7/20 (35.00%) 0 4 3 -- 1
    19. Kim Mi-Youn [OH] 8 7/24 (29.17) 0 1 5 33.33% 4
    7. Kim Na-Hee [MB] 6 6/10 (60.00%) 0 0 5 -- 0
    15. Kim Chae-Yeon [MB] 3 2/3 (66.67%) 1 0 4 -- 0
    14. Cho Song-Hwa [S] 3 1/1 (100.00%) 2 0 7 -- 2
    1. Shin Yeon-Gyeong [OH] 0 0/5 (0.00%) 0 0 5 50.00% 1
    18. Kim Da-Sol [S] 0 0/2 (0.00%) 0 0 1 -- 2
    5. Kim Hae-Ran [Li] 0 -- -- -- 20 42.86% 0
    8. Do Su-Been [OH] 0 -- 0 -- 1 100.00% 0
    Team 57 44/126 (34.92%) 5 8 79 42.59% 15*

    Total Points: 75, Score Points: 57, Attacks: 44 (from 126 at 34.92%), Aces: 5, Blocks: 8, Digs: 79, Receptions: 42.59% =(24E - 1F)/54, Errors: 15 (* incl. 1 rotation error).



    Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders qualified for the semi-final at the top of Group B with 3 wins (and all were 3-0 wins).

  • KOVO Cup - Group B, Game 6 - Hyundai E&C Hillstate vs. VietinBank VC - August 10th, 2018




    Hyundai E&C 3 - 0 VietinBank VC ( 26 - 24, 25 - 22, 25 - 23 ), stats


    Replay: https://www.ok.ru/video/949070334600 (Cr: Volleyball.is.my.way @ Facebook)


    http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=462174&redirect=true (Korea only)



    Hyundai E&C:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    4. Hwang Youn-Joo [OP] 24 20/46 (43.48%) 1 3 13 -- 6
    10. Kim Ju-Hyang [OH] 13 13/36 (36.11%) 0 0 8 66.67% 4
    1. Jeong Si-Young [MB] 12 9/23 (39.13%) 0 3 9 -- 3
    11. Jeong Da-Woun [MB] 7 4/7 (57.14%) 2 1 3 -- 0
    7. Go Yoo-Min [OH]
    5 2/18 (11.11%) 1 2 15 43.48% 0
    5. Baek Chae-Lim [OH] 1 1/5 (20.00%) 0 0 5 44.44% 3
    3. Kim Da-In [S] 1 -- 1 0 9 -- 0
    8. Kim Yeon-Gyeon [Li] 0 -- -- -- 16 65.22% 1
    12 Byeon Myeong-Jin [OP] 0 -- 0 -- -- -- 0
    18. Lee Yeong-Ju [OH] 0 -- 0 -- 3 0.00%
    1
    Team 63 49/135 (36.30%) 5 9 81 53.03% 18

    Total Points: 76, Score Points: 63, Attacks: 49 (from 135 at 36.30%), Aces: 5, Blocks: 9, Digs: 81, Receptions: 53.03% =(40E - 5F)/66, Errors: 18.



    VietinBank VC:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    15. Phạm Thị Thắm [OH] 14 13/25 (52.00%) 0 1 11 57.14% 1
    17. Trần Tú Linh [OP] 13 11/28 (39.29%) 1 1 9 46.67% 3
    6.
    Trần Thị Loan [OH]
    8 7/14 (50.00%) 0 1 9 0.00% 1
    2. Thị Nga [MB] 5 2/13 (15.38%) 3 0 4 -- 0
    3.
    Phạm Thị Như Quỳnh [MB]
    5 1/12 (8.33%) 0 4 7 -- 0
    9.
    Hoàng Minh Tâm [OH]
    3 3/21 (14.29%) 0 0 9 40.00% 4
    7. Dương Thị Hồng Thắm [S] 3 0/1 (0.00%) 1 2 10 0.00% 2
    14. Hoàng Thị Phương Anh [OH] 0 0/4 (0.00%) -- 0 -- -- 2
    1. Vi Thị Như Quỳnh [MB] 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 0
    19. Nguyễn Thị Ninh Anh [Li] 0 -- -- -- 21 20.00% 0
    Team 51 37/118 (31.36%) 5 9 81 39.71% 13

    Total Points: 69, Score Points: 51, Attacks: 37 (from 118 at 31.36%), Aces: 5, Blocks: 9, Digs: 81, Receptions: 39.71% =(32E - 5F)/68, Errors: 13. Unused Subs: 4. Bùi Thị Khánh Huyền [OH], 8. Trần Thị Phương [S], 11. Vũ Thị Quỳnh [OH], 12. Võ Thị Lê [Li].



    Hyundai E&C Hillstate qualified for the semi-final in 2nd place of Group B with 2 wins and 1 loss. Korea Expressway Corp. Hi-pass and VietinBank VC are now both eliminated from the competition.

  • KOVO Group Ranking:


    Group A:

    Rank Team Win Loss Sets Ratio
    Points Ratio
    1. KGC Ginseng Corp. 3 0 1.800 1.041
    2. GS Caltex Seoul KIXX 2 1 2.000 1.138
    3. IBK Altos 1 2 1.000 0.985
    4. EST Cola VC 0 3 0.111 0.826


    Group B:

    Rank Team Win Loss Sets Ratio
    Points Ratio
    1. Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders 3 0 MAX 1.596
    2. Hyundai E&C Hillstate 2 1 2.000 0.995
    3. Korea Expressway Corp. Hi-pass 1 2 .500 0.931
    4. VietinBank VC 0 3 0.000 0.695


    Source: http://kovo.co.kr/game/kovocup…t=2&season=815&g_part=212



    KOVO Cup Schedule:


    Date Time (KST) Stage Match
    Aug 11. (Sat) 14:00 Semi-final 1 KGC Ginseng Corp. vs Hyundai E&C Hillstate
    16:00 Semi-final 2 Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders vs GS Caltex Seoul KIXX
    AUg 12. (Sun) 14:00 Final Semi-final 1 Winner vs Semi-final 2 Winner


    Source: http://kovo.co.kr/game/kovocup…edule_list.asp?season=815

  • KOVO Cup - Semi-Final 1 - KGC Ginseng Corp. vs. Hyundai E&C Hillstate - August 11th, 2018




    KGC Ginseng 3 - 0 Hyundai E&C ( 25 - 14, 25 - 22, 25 - 23 ), stats


    Replay: https://www.facebook.com/Volle…y/videos/224721431560268/ (Cr: Volleyball.is.my.way @ Facecbook)


    http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=462380&redirect=true (Korea only)



    KGC Ginseng:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    12. Han Song-Yi [OH] 16 16/37 (43.24%) 0 0 4 100.00% 2
    11. Choi Eun-Ji [OH] 16 13/24 (54.17%) 3 0 13 61.90% 1
    10. Chae Seon-Ah [OH] 10 9/28 (32.14%) 1 0 15 62.50% 3
    4. Han Soo-Ji [MB] 9 6/15 (40.00%) 1 2 5 -- 3
    14. Yoo Hee-Ok [MB] 9 4/12 (33.33%) 1 4 1 -- 0
    13. Lee Jae-Eun [S] 1 0/4 (0.00%) 1 0 10 -- 2
    1. Ji Min-Kyeong [OH] 1 1/4 (25.00%) -- 0 1 -- 0
    5. Noh Ran [OH] 0 -- -- -- 1 100.00% 0
    9. Oh Ji-Young [Li] 0 -- -- -- 25 73.91% 0
    18. Lee Sol-Ah [S] 0 -- 0 -- -- -- 1
    3. Ha Hyo-Rim [S] 0 -- 0 -- 3 -- 0
    Team 62 49/124 (39.52%) 7 6 78 69.64% 12

    Total Points: 75, Score Points: 62, Attacks: 49 (from 124 at 39.52%), Aces: 7, Blocks: 6, Digs: 78, Receptions: 69.64% =(39E - 0F)/56, Errors: 12. Unused Subs: 7. Ko Min-Ji [OH], 15. Lee Seon-Jeong [MB].



    Hyundai E&C:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    10. Kim Ju-Hyang [OH] 16 14/34 (41.18%) 0 2 12 24.14% 2
    4. Hwang Youn-Joo [OP] 10 8/39 (20.51%) 0 2 5 0.00% 4
    7. Go Yoo-Min [OH] 9 8/24 (33.33%) 0 1 11 60.00% 1
    1. Jeong Si-Young [MB] 9 8/19 (42.11%) 0 1 5 -- 4
    11. Jeong Da-Woun [MB] 3 2/4 (50.00%) 0 1 4 0.00% 0
    3. Kim Da-In [S] 0 -- 0 0 8 -- 1
    8. Kim Yeon-Gyeon [Li] 0 -- -- -- 20 41.18% 0
    5. Baek Chae-Lim [OH] 0 -- 0 -- 2 50.00% 1
    18. Lee Yeong-Ju [Li/OH] 0 -- 0 -- -- -- 0
    Team 47 40/120 (33.33%) 0 7 67 38.57% 13

    Total Points: 59, Score Points: 47, Attacks: 40 (from 120 at 33.33%), Aces: 0, Blocks: 7, Digs: 67, Receptions: 38.57% =(34E - 7F)/70, Errors: 13. Unused Subs: 12. Byeon Myeong-Jin [OP].

  • KOVO Cup - Semi-Final 2 - Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders vs. GS Caltex Seoul KIXX - August 11th, 2018




    Heungkuk Pink Spiders 1 - 3 GS Caltex ( 25 - 18, 15 - 25, 28 - 30, 20 - 25 ), stats


    Replay: https://www.facebook.com/Volle…y/videos/224819478217130/ (Cr: Volleyball.is.my.way @ Facecbook)


    http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=462554&redirect=true (Korea only)



    Heungkuk Pink Spiders:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    12. Gong Yun-Hui [OH] 19 16/41 (39.02%) 0 3 8 25.00% 5
    19. Kim Mi-Youn [OH] 18 15/51 (29.41%) 1 2 10 0.00% 6
    13. Kim Se-Young [MB] 18 12/29 (41.38%) 0 6 6 -- 1
    16. Lee Han-Bi [OH] 12 11/31 (35.48%) 0 1 9 13.04% 5
    7. Kim Na-Hee [MB] 6 6/10 (60.00%) 0 0 3 -- 1
    14. Cho Song-Hwa [S] 3 2/3 (66.67%) 0 1 18 -- 0
    18. Kim Da-Sol [S] 1 0/1 (0.00%) 1 0 2 -- 0
    1. Shin Yeon-Gyeong [OH] 0 0/4 (0.00%) 0 -- 1 20.00% 0
    15. Kim Chae-Yeon [MB] 0 0/2 (0.00%) 0 0 1 -- 0
    5. Kim Hae-Ran [Li] 0 -- -- -- 34 73.33% 0
    8. Do Su-Been [OH] 0 -- 0 -- 2 33.33% 0
    Team 77 62/172 (36.05%) 2 13 94 29.17% 18

    Total Points: 88, Score Points: 77, Attacks: 62 (from 172 at 36.05%), Aces: 2, Blocks: 13, Digs: 94, Receptions: 29.17% =(34E - 6F)/96, Errors: 18.



    GS Caltex:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    9. Pyo Seung-Ju [OP] 29 26/70 (37.14%) 1 2 6 66.67% 4
    1. Lee So-Young [OH] 22 22/49 (44.90%) 0 0 17 41.48% 2
    16. Kim Yu-Ri [MB] 12 8/19 (42.11%) 2 2 5 0.00% 2
    7. An Hye-Jin [S] 8 6/14 (42.86%) 1 1 13 -- 1
    17. Kim Hyun-Jeong [MB] 4 2/11 (18.18%) 0 2 6 0.00% 2
    8. Park Min-Ji [OH] 3 2/4 (50.00%) 1 0 3 -- 0
    6. Lee Go-Eun [S] 1 1/8 (12.50%) 0 0 13 -- 0
    12. Han Su-Jin [S] 1 -- 1 -- 1 -- 0
    3. Kim Chae-Won [OH] 0 -- 0 -- 5 50.00% 0
    4. Han Da-Hye [Li] 0 -- -- -- 35 61.54% 0
    Team 80 67/175 (38.29%) 6 7 104 55.95% 11

    Total Points: 98, Score Points: 80, Attacks: 67 (from 175 at 38.29%), Aces: 6, Blocks: 7, Digs: 104, Receptions: 55.95% =(49E - 2F)/84, Errors: 11. Unused Subs: 13. Lee Young [MB].



    Disappointing for Heungkuk, they played really well during the group stage, winning all matches without dropping a single set. Overall, I think they will do much better than they did last season with their new recruits.


    GS Caltex (GS) have reach the final for the second year straight and get the chance to claim back to back title. Their OH Lee So-Young has been their key player this year, during the group stage she scored the most point with 69 points and 3rd in spike success rate at 40.00%. GS will meet KGC Ginseng (KGC) in the KOVO Cup final, interestingly the last match for this year KOVO Cup tournament will have the same two teams who played against each other in opening match. KGC defeated GS 3-2 in that match, despite GS having the first match point in the 4th set. Anyway, good luck to both teams in the Final and fingers crossed for a competitive 5 set match final.



    KOVO Cup Schedule:


    Date Time (KST) Stage Match
    Aug 12. (Sun) 14:00 Final KGC Ginseng Corp. vs GS Caltex Seoul KIXX


    Source: http://kovo.co.kr/game/kovocup…edule_list.asp?season=815

  • KOVO Cup - Final - KGC Ginseng Corp. vs. GS Caltex Seoul KIXX - August 12th, 2018






    KGC Ginseng 3 - 2 GS Caltex ( 25 - 27, 25 - 22, 25 - 27, 31 - 29, 16 - 14 ), stats


    Replay: https://www.ok.ru/video/950183922312 (Cr: Volleyball.is.my.way @ Facebook or volleyballismypassion.com)


    http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=462898&redirect=true (Korea only)



    KGC Ginseng:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    11. Choi Eun-Ji [OH] 32 30/82 (36.59%) 0 2 15 46.88% 6
    10. Chae Seon-Ah [OH] 20 17/52 (32.69%) 1 2 15 25.81% 8
    4. Han Soo-Ji [MB] 17 7/24 (29.17%) 1 9 8 0.00% 5
    12. Han Song-Yi [OH] 16 13/42 (30.95%) 0 3 13 -- 5
    14. Yoo Hee-Ok [MB] 8 4/12 (33.33%) 1 3 3 0.00% 1
    13. Lee Jae-Eun [S] 2 2/4 (50.00%) 0 0 20 -- 2
    1. Ji Min-Kyeong [OH] 1 1/5 (20.00%) -- 0 1 -- 0
    7. Ko Min-Ji [OH] 0 -- 0 -- -- -- 1
    5. Noh Ran [Li/OH] 0 -- -- -- 3 25.00% 0
    9. Oh Ji-Young [Li] 0 -- -- -- 46 58.82% 0
    18. Lee Sol-Ah [S] 0 -- -- 0 2 -- 0
    Team 96 74/221 (33.48%) 3 19 126 42.06% 28

    Total Points: 122, Score Points: 96, Attacks: 74 (from 221 at 33.48%), Aces: 3, Blocks: 19, Digs: 126, Receptions: 42.06% =(49E - 4F)/107, Errors: 28. Unused Subs: 3. Ha Hyo-Rim [S], 15. Lee Seon-Jeong [MB].



    GS Caltex:

    No. Players' Name Points Attacks Aces Blocks Digs Receptions Errors
    9. Pyo Seung-Ju [OP] 26 25/65 (38.46%) 0 1 10 42.11% 4
    1. Lee So-Young [OH] 25 20/65 (30.77%) 2 3 22 42.86% 6
    16. Kim Yu-Ri [MB] 12 6/15 (40.00%) 0 6 7 -- 2
    8. Park Min-Ji [OH] 8 7/24 (29.17%) 0 1 13 -- 3
    7. An Hye-Jin [S] 7 6/12 (50.00%) 0 1 5 -- 1
    13. Lee Young [MB] 6 2/4 (50.00%) 1 3 3 -- 0
    17. Kim Hyun-Jeong [MB] 5 3/9 (33.33%) 0 2 3 -- 4
    6. Lee Go-Eun [S] 2 1/6 (16.67%) 1 0 18 -- 2
    3. Kim Chae-Won [OH] 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1
    4. Han Da-Hye [Li] 0 -- -- -- 31 54.84% 0
    12. Han Su-Jin [S] 0 -- 0 -- 5 33.33% 1
    Team 91 70/200 (35.00%) 4 17 117 45.45% 26*

    Total Points: 119, Score Points: 91, Attacks: 70 (from 200 at 25.00%), Aces: 4, Blocks: 17, Digs: 117, Receptions: 45.45% =(53E - 3F)/110, Errors: 26 (* incl. 2 rotation errors).



    MVP Award: 11. Choi Eun-Ji [OH] (KGC Ginseng).

    http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=462940&redirect=true (Korea only)


    MIP Award: 1. Lee So-Young [OH] (GS Caltex).


    Rising Star Award: 8. Park Min-Ji [OH] (GS Caltex).



    Sources: 1, 2, 3.



    Congratulation to KGC Ginseng Corp. on winning the 2018 KOVO Cup (10 years since they last won it in 2008). GS Caltex Seoul KIXX came in runner-up, and Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders received 3rd place (Heungkuk had a better set ratio than to Hyundai E&C in their semifinal matches).


    Wow, my wish for a competitive 5 sets match came true and I have to say it was a very good KOVO Cup Final. The momentum swung back and forth between the two teams as evidently shown in the scoreline for each set. Just like their earlier match in the group stage, GS came oh so close to winning the back-to-back title when they had championship point deep into the 4th set before letting KGC come back to win it in 5 sets again.


    GS lost MB Kim Hyun-Jeong in the 4th set when she sustained an ankle injury but her replacement Lee Young made some crucial blocks for GS later in the game. The GS duo of Pyo Seung-Ju and Lee So-Young (MIP Award) had a combined total of 51 points but they still couldn't stop KGC. Choi Eun-Ji who recently joint KGC from Expressway Hi-pass in May, top-score with 32 points. She has been KGC main scorer throughout the tournament and rightfully deserve the tournament MVP award. Her KGC teammates provided great support in this match, with Chae Seon-Ah scoring 20 pts, Han Su-Ji with 17 pts (incl. 9 blocks), and Han Song-Yi with 16 pts.


    I'm hoping to see both teams do well this season. GS just missed out on the playoff last season and with their decent line up of Korean OH/OP of Seung-Ju, So-Young, Park Min-Ji (Rising Star Award) and Kang So-Hwi, I think they can make the playoffs this season. With KGC, if they continue to play like this and not rely so heavily on Alaina to score all the points then I think they maybe in with a chance to win the league.

  • my wish for a competitive 5 sets match came true

    I'm watching this now. It's playing like one of my beloved Hybrid B Team matches. I can feel it. The Asian Club Final went to 5th set Deuce. Always fun. I only recognize a few players. I'm terrible at Korean names, especially when they don't have them on their uniform. But #11 in Red and #9 in white look good. These Koreans overall are a size bigger and hit the ball harder than typical Japanese. They don't seem quite as court aware, though. They started off using MBs well and then tapered off. I hope they get back to it. That's one of the things I like about Korean VB.


    I'm loving the commentators. They talk a LOT but it's kind of lyrical and they are definitely into every play, every swing, every dig. Adds to the fun, because they are having fun. I don't understand a word, but it sounds like they are enjoying the game instead of trying to arm-chair coach it.

  • I'm watching this now. It's playing like one of my beloved Hybrid B Team matches. I can feel it. The Asian Club Final went to 5th set Deuce. Always fun. I only recognize a few players. I'm terrible at Korean names, especially when they don't have them on their uniform. But #11 in Red and #9 in white look good. These Koreans overall are a size bigger and hit the ball harder than typical Japanese. They don't seem quite as court aware, though. They started off using MBs well and then tapered off. I hope they get back to it. That's one of the things I like about Korean VB.


    I'm loving the commentators. They talk a LOT but it's kind of lyrical and they are definitely into every play, every swing, every dig. Adds to the fun, because they are having fun. I don't understand a word, but it sounds like they are enjoying the game instead of trying to arm-chair coach it.


    So the team in red is KGC Ginseng and the team in white is GS Caltex.


    No. 11 in red is Choi Eun-Ji (최은지) the MVP, she transferred to the KGC just three months ago in May as a Free Agent. She joined the league as part of IBK Altos (a newly formed team) in 2010/2011 season. At IBK she was a back-up player to two of Korea regular NT member Kim Hee-Jin and Park Jeong-Ah. She was traded at the end of 2015/2016 season to Korea Expressway Corp. Hi-pass (Expressway) to eased up on IBK salary cap. Sadly at Expressway she was also a back-up player too. Eun-ji is 26 y.o (June 7, 1992), height 182cm (5'11-12"), and I have seen her played on both wings. She has represent Korea at the FIVB Women's Junior World Championship 2011 but I don't think she has ever represented Korea internationally at senior level as I cannot recall ever seeing.


    No. 9 in white is Pyo Seung-Ju (표승주), she also joined the V-League in the same year as Eun-ji. She was drafted by Expressway in 1st round as 1st pick (only because Hee-Jin and Jeong-Ah had joined IBK). She moved to her current team GS Caltex because she was the reward player for MB Jung Dae-Young who joined Expressway. Seungju is also 26 y.o (August 7, 1992) and 182 cm tall, and she can play on either side as an OH or OP, and in the middle as a MB too. Like Eun-ji she represent Korea at Junior Championship in 2011, but I she was part of NT for 2013 Asian Championship and 2014 WGP. Another fact about SeungJu is that she come from the same high school as KYK.


    Once the foreign players start, in most team the setter will rely less on MB to spike. The decent MBs are all either in their 30s or approaching it, but it look like a there is hope as a hand full of young MBs with potential have recently started showing up. Only NT MB like Yang Hyo-Jin, Bae Yoo-Na and Kim Su-Ji get the ball toss their way more frequently. Especially in Hyo-Jin case, she get the ball a lot of the time as she one of her team main point scorer in every game.


    The Korean commentators are like that, they make everything sound that much bigger and more lively. The Korean just present their league very well despite not having the same level of quality as the Japanese and Chinese. Even after a few years of watching the Korean league I still don't understand what they are saying either. However, these days I do recognised a few words like:


    'Beomsil' = error

    'Ye' (sound like yeah) or 'Ne' = yes

    'Seonsu' = 'player/athlete' or like Senshu in Japanese

  • I only made it through the first two sets the other night. GS Caltex were running away with it.


    Just tuned back in:

    KGC Ginseng came out strong in set three. That happens. Then set four was a nail biter. Poor GS. They fought and fought, had match point and then #9, who was having a great game served out of bounds. Then a Net Touch on GS. Then they lost the set. Wow.


    I'm going to watch the final set tonight. This is a fun match! I wish I didn't know how it ends. And, as I mentioned, it mirrors the Asian Club Final. Any final match that goes to Deuce in set 5 is giving fans their money's worth.


    In addition to No. 11 in red, Choi Eun-Ji, #12 has also impressed. I see in your stats that she only scored half as many points, but still. She looks familiar to me. Maybe has been in the NT? And I also like #4 Han Soo-Ji. She has an extreme look that I like, kind of a bad-ass look, as much as these cute Koreans can look bad-ass . lol But good blocking, good hustle and she's made some impressive kills--she should get more sets.


    On the White team, #16 is a monster. Again, has better court presence than her point total suggests.


    It's interesting to me when I watch a match and think this player or that player stand out and then look at the stats and they tell a different story. I don't think I've even noticed the players on each team who scored the second most points. #12 (and #4) have looked a lot better to me than #10 for the team in red. (forgive me for using #'s and colors instead of names ... it's baby steps, lol)


    I'm not sure either team has a good setter. Lots of balls too close to the net. Maybe that's how Choi likes them but it isn't working well for others.


    The stars for me are 11 in red, Choi, and No. 9 in white, Pyo. I'll do better remembering them by their numbers more than their name. I have Korean Name Block, the way some people have Math Block. Korean names just never stick, except for a few of the really famous ones like KYK and the Lee Twins.


    Reading your notes about Choi and Pyo reinforces the feeling I had of this as a Hybrid B Team extravaganza. There's a different energy to it when a player comes out of the shadows and gets a chance to shine. I really enjoy that.


    I might start watching more Korean games just for the commentary :rolll: This man/woman duo is really fun!


    [update] Another thing I noticed is that there must be a live drummer there who does a little roll and then smacks the drum when the server hits the ball. These little things ... the Koreans are good at them.

  • Wow!


    #10 on KGC really upped her game in Set 5. In attack and serve. Bravo.


    Even though it went to Deuce, GS choked the 5th set. They made TWO rotation errors! Probably twice that many serve errors.


    I'm glad KGC won. I ended up liking them more. #'s 10, 11, 12, and bad-ass #4. I couldn't pick their libero or setter out of a lineup. The other blond MB is okay.


    GS has #9 and the monster #16. I did come around to their blond setter a bit. She's got a tough personality. That can be helpful. Replacement MB #13 had that excellent kill block at the end but I thought Han Soo-ji's at 12-12 was better.


    btw - I just typed Han Soo-ji's name from memory! :super:She's ingrained. I like her. I couldn't type #10, 11, or 12's names. Choi? Pyu? And everyone on GS is named MILLET as far as I know. :rolll: must be a sponsor.


    I need noticeable setters and liberos to really get into this. It's one of the reasons I've come to like the Turkish NT. And it's why I'm deep in both love and hate with the Japanese. The dance of the Korean Bodies is very different from the Japanese. Koreans are more athletic, kind of gym-ratty almost. But they don't move as fast as the Japanese. That's weird when I think about it.


    theloneracer I'd like to watch another KGC game. Is they one you would recommend from this Cup? I'm a little fearful that when the NT players come back to KGC I might not like them as much. I really enjoyed the NEC Red Rockets Hybrid B Team play in the Asian Clubs. I don't want Sarina Koga to come back:what: (and she is one of my favorite players).

  • Han Soo-ji


    :rolll:

  • sitenoise KGC Ginseng also played against GS Caltex in the opening match. Below are links to replay of 2 of the group matches (I took out the score just for you). You can find the score and stats on my original for the 1st and 2nd of these matches (the only link for the 2nd match require a VPN). You can find replay of other matches in my the previous posts (not all of them have a second link beside the one hosted on Naver).

    KOVO Cup - Group A, Game 3 - KGC Ginseng Corp. vs IBK Altos - August 7th, 2018


    Replay: http://sports.news.naver.com/v…o&id=461021&redirect=true (Korea only)


    No 12. in red is Han Song-Yi. If you have seen the bronze medal match between Japan and Korea at the 2012 London Summer Olympics then she made look familiar. She used to be KYK partner in the OH positions in the NT (also in KYK last in the Korean in 2008/09 at Heungkuk Pink Spiders), I think the last time she played for the NT was at the 2014 Asian Game. Also her sister (former player) is one of the female commentator calling the KOVO Cup Final for KBSN Sports. You can find out more about Song-Yi from this post in last season thread.


    In 2006/07 Han Soo-ji was selected as 1st pick in round 1 of the draft by GS Caltex and won the rookie award that season. She also received the MIP award at the 2016 KOVO Cup and V-League setter award in 2009/10. Yes (a setter), up until 2 seasons ago Han Soo-Ji was a setter. The current head coach at KGC decided to play her as a middle blocker instead. Han Soo-Ji has better blocking stats than some of the other more establish middle blockers in the league since her position change, she came 3rd in 2016/17 and 4th in 2017/18 for blocking. At the end of last season she has joined Yang Hyo-Jin (MB Hyundai E&C) and Kim Hee-Jin (OP/MB IBK Altos) as the top money earner in the league, earning 300M KRW per season.


    :rolll: Millet is the maker of GS Caltex's uniform and KGC is uniform is made by Sketchers.

  • I think the first KGC v GS game had a different female announcer, or she just wasn't as excited about the game. Same cute referee, tho.


    GS can't get a break. But it's weird, KGC seems like a way better team to me. I'm surprised they go to five sets. I like the GS setter and OHs #8 & #1 seem pretty good, especially #1.


    Are there NT players or foreigners who will return to KGC and bench one or more of the four players I've enjoyed: #10, 11, 12, 4?


    btw - interesting about Han Soo-ji.

  • Not sure which announcer you are referring to but in the first match between KGC vs GS from KBSN Sports, the male announcer is Lee Ho-Guen and the female announcer is Lee Sook-Ja (former NT Setter). In the final between KGC vs GS, Lee Ho-Geun and Lee Sook-Ja was calling the match alongside KGC #12 Han Song-Yi older sister Han Yoo-Mi (former NT OH). FYI the ref name is Jeon Young-A.


    (L=>R: Han Song-Yi, most likely her Mom & Dad, and older sister Han Yoo-Mi)


    Also wongz2 on instagram has some fancams of the three announcers in action in the final.



    GS #6 Setter Lee Go-Eun got traded from IBK to the GS only like two months ago. She has experience with the NT at 2017 World Grand Champions Cup, 2017 World Championship Asian Qualifiers and 2016 AVC Cup. She does okay most of the time, but I can't really say a lot as I'm not very good at judging how well a setter is performing.


    GS #8 OH Park Min-Ji was drafted as a training player (she was drafted after the first 3 rounds, not sure what the difference is with a normal drafted player) and was an unused sub all of last season. When you consider this KOVO Cup is her very first time playing, you have to say she did quite well in attack.


    GS #1 OH Lee So-Young for me is the key player that would decide how well GS perform at KOVO Cup. So-Young was GS top scorer in the 2016/17 season (8th overall - only behind five foreign players, Lee Jae-Yeong and Park Jeong-Ah). However she suffered a knee injury during training with the NT just before the start of 2017 WGP. Because of this she missed the majority of last season and only started to play toward the end. She was in the NT for 2015 World Cup and she also took part in the 2016 Olympic qualifications tournament but missed the cut for Rio. Lee So-Young was the top scorer at this year KOVO cup and was the MIP. If only So-Young had played better in the final like she did in their first match then GS might have won KOVO Cup.



    KGC doesn't have any player missing due to the the NT this year. They do however have Alaina Bergsma (US, OPP) returning for a third seasons. Alaina has been the overall top points scorer in the league for the past two seasons (2016/17 season: 854pts, and 2017/18 season: 864 pts). For the past two seasons she has basically been carrying the team, they are so heavily reliant on Alaina that she scores nearly 50% of all the points KGC scores (excl. errors from opposing team). So If #11. Choi Eun-Ji can help Alaina with the scoring this season it would be massive for KGC as it would ease Alaina's workload.


    I'm not sure which player will get bench when Alaina come back into the team but since Alaina does not received then I think it might be KGC #12 Han Song-Yi but another option is to replaced KGC #14 MB Yoo Hee-Ok with KGC #12 Han Song-Yi in the MB position.

  • Wonderful info. I love seeing those announcers! I guess it was maybe that there were two girls for the final that made it/her sound more FANtastic.


    I'm sure you will do a great job of tracking the league when it starts. I may try and follow it and learn some more players. I like the way they move, just wish they moved more quickly. But their attack style suits my dance aesthetics. My concern is that they will overplay their foreigners, give them 80 swings a match. I'll tune that out for sure. I don't mind foreign MBs (and am glad Japan seems tilted in that direction with their foreigners).


    So KGC will be essentially the same team with the addition of Bergsma. Will have to see how that goes. I look forward to seeing more of Han Soo-ji (I still remember her name without cheating!) And #10 grew on me after watching the first match.


    I'll have to study up on who are the teams that have been winning the last few years. Will GS get any NT players?

  • Most of the foreign players in the Korean League last season had an average swings ranging in the 50s per match, Alaina was the exception with an average just over 64 swings per match. So I understand your concern about seeing a players given 80+ swings. But this vary for each of the Korean teams due to the strength of the domestic players in each team.


    I personally think that the high swing counts is partly due to the long rally and how often the ball get recycle, similarly like what happens in the Japanese league. The other factor is that the Korean teams prefer their foreign player to be OH/OP rather than MB which the Japanese prefer to get. Obviously you going to see OH/OP taking more swings than you would from the MB in a match. Even in the Japanese League you can get player hitting around the 80+ swings too. For example, JT and Ageo each have foreign players (Brankica Mihajlović and Kenia Carcaces Opón respectively) who play as OH/OP. Looking at JT vs NEC stats and Ageo vs Toyota stats, both Mihajlovic and Carcaces had swing 80+ swing too.


    However, foreigner players in the Korean league will have to do more work than what Mihajlovic and Carcaces would have to in the Japanese league. is because overall the Korean spikers are not as good as than the Japanese spikers.


    Even though the standard might not be as good as the Japanese league, I do hope you sitenoise will be able to watch a bit more of Korean V-League as there are still some excellent plays and rallies to see. Plus the video quality is much better.



    GS current have 2 players away at the Asian Games, libero Na Hyun-Jung and OH Kang So-Hwi. Na Hyun-Jung is their regular libero. So-Hwi was GS top scorer last season and 6th overall in the league, scoring 532 points in total. Also, she was 1st in term of success rate for a Korean player and 6th overall, at 37.65%.

  • Even though the standard might not be as good as the Japanese league, I do hope you sitenoise will be able to watch a bit more of Korean V-League as there are still some excellent plays and rallies to see. Plus the video quality is much better.

    yes, when I have looked at some of the Korean games I've been envious. The Koreans present well. They play a rock soundtrack promo and show the players. They are more up-to-the-minute media savvy contemporary than the traditional Japanese. A little downside is, if I recall, they don't put Romanized names on their jerseys or the info/score tags. :(


    I'm hoping DAZN comes to USA *AND* they broadcast the Japanese V.League games. I'll be in heaven.


    The thing about the swing counts: I didn't watch Ageo games last season precisely because of Carcaces and her swings (and unhappy face). The same would have been true of JT but I like Brankica. She's got personality. She did upset me a number of times doing the Euro-fake-pissed-drama-pout nonsense but overall she is mostly fun. The thing about giving a ton of high sets to a foreigner changes the game dramatically for me. Slows it down, makes it unpleasantly predictable. And big lumbering clods don't move as elegantly as itty bitty Asians. (LeBron James might have the most purely athletic body on the planet but he would look silly doing ballet--this is about dance for me!) There is something about a body over about 180cm where it just doesn't move as gracefully (for my tastes). Having said that, Toyota's Neriman is right up there with Brankica in terms of swings but she flew in from downtown (beautifully) for most of them. I love back court attacks! (And block coverage)


    I don't think the Koreans aren't up to the quality of the Japanese at all. They have a more stylish attack I like, and they have nice team camaraderie--a subtle affection for one another that's attractive, and produces results. They just don't move as fast overall. That's a nit pik. I'm not sure if it's because of pure physical oomph or a little more disciplined mind about how to get ready to move, an instinct. The Japanese are nothing if not disciplined, and luck favors the prepared mind.


    I'm definitely interested in keeping track of Han Soo-ji! I also like the Lee Twins. It was nice seeing them play together in the VNL.


    What is your prediction right now of how the standings in the league will end up? Aren't KGC and GS about a 4th/5th place team?

  • What is your prediction right now of how the standings in the league will end up? Aren't KGC and GS about a 4th/5th place team?

    That's a tough one.


    It's hard to answer this since four of the teams have new foreign player and I have no idea on how strong of a player they are. Also the draft for this season rookies have not yet taken placed.


    The reigning champion Korea Expressway Corp. Hi-pass have no changes to their starting members including Ivana Nesovic. So they would most likely be up there at the end of the season. Three key players, setter Lee Hyo-Hee, OH Park Jeong-Ah, and libero YIM Myung-Ok are away with the NT team. Little time to practice together after the World Champion (WC)


    IBK Altos was runner-up last season. They have lost Madison Kingdon which is a massive blow. A new foreign player Adora ANAE (not familiar with) and two new liberos. I'm kind of 50-50 on them making the playoff.


    3rd placed Hyundai E&C is the best blocking team last season and now they have lost one of the tallest MB, Kim Se-Young (1.90m) to Heungkuk. Reception remain a concern and it will depend on how Becky Perry (also not familiar with) handles this role along with the attack. Their main setter Lee Da-Yeong and MB Yang Hyo-Jin will be away at WC in Japan so not a lot of time to gel with new player before the season start. My guess is bottom half.


    4th placed GS Caltex Seoul KIXX, on paper they have a decent team with mostly young players. New foreign player Aliona MARTINIUC (another who I'm not familiar with) but they have a good group of domestic OH/OPs. I'm also 50-50 but leaning toward the top half.


    5th placed KGC Ginseng have managed to keep Alaina Bergsma and now they have Choi Eun-Ji in the team. KGC traded away a number of players in the off season and also for two additional Round 2 draft picks. No players are current away with the NT so KGC will have plenty of time to practices together. It is a toss up if they can make the playoffs.


    6th placed Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders have brought in two new players, MB Kim Sei-Young and OH KIM Mi-Youn, who I believe will help address Heungkuk weakness from last season. Sei-Young help fill the void of losing to Kim Su-Ji in front the net. Mi-Youn can help with reception but she is also handy in attack. New foreign player Berenika TOMSIA (again, not familiar with) and Lee Jae-Young will return after WC. My guess is that they will make the playoffs.

  • Thanks for your thoughts. This is the first time I've spent quality time with any Korean League teams. And as you probably surmised I thought KGC was pretty good and enjoyed them. I wish there were more of those matches available. I really do like what I call Hybrid B Teams. And those announcers were a blast!


    Southpaw Setter Lee Hyo-Hee is another player who has caught my attention in the past and who I like. She just turned 38 yesterday! I think I also know Kim Su-Ji (or is that Soo-ji, like HAN*, lol). She's been an NT staple for a while, I think.


    If I follow the Korean League this season I'll be rooting for KGC. I'm always grateful to those who make me turn a corner in life :rose:


    *When I watch Korean movies they usually put the family name in ALL CAPS. That, and hyphenating the given name, is helpful to us slow pokes who might not know which is which :lol:

  • It not that KGC are okay team and are improving, in fact they were able to defeat each of the other 5 teams at least once throughout the season. The middle pack teams (3rd, 4th, and 5th) last season were only separated by two wins. And in the 2016/17 season, KGC made the playoffs in 3rd place ahead of 4th place Hyundai E&C by just 3 points (1 win extra). I think some of the games from the previous seasons are still available to view on youtube (check the older thread).


    Lee Hyo-Hee is the oldest and most experience setter in the Korean league. Well, I guess she would be the best setter now in the league after the retirement of Kim Sa-Nee at the end of 2016/17 season.


    Yeap Kim Su-Ji has been a long time NT member. If it Kim Su-Ji (김수지) long time NT MB then it is Su-Ji but If it Han Soo-Ji (한수지) from KGC then it is Soo-Ji. As you can see, the last two words/characters in both their name are written the same way in Hangul (수지) but the players have romanised their respective name differently (Source: http://worldgrandprix.2017.fiv…teams/kor%20korea/players).