“I feel like I’m only interviewing before GS.”
Kang So-hwi (27), who broke Korea Expressway Corporation’s losing streak with his explosive scoring ability, showed an awkward smile. It would be no surprise for Kang that Korea Expressway Corporation has won all three of its wins against GS Caltex, the last team in the V-League.
The Korea Expressway Corporation beat GS Caltex with a set score of 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 25-20, 27-25, 18-16) in the third round of the regular league of the Dodram 2024-2025 V-League at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul on the 11th.
Korea Expressway Corporation, which ended its five-game losing streak and earned two points, trailed fifth-ranked Pepper Savings Bank (4-9, 12 points) by two points with three wins and 11 losses. GS Caltex, which was mired in a nine-game losing streak, was satisfied with earning one point and remained at one win and 12 losses (six points).
Korea Expressway Corporation, which won the first and second rounds with a set score of 3-1, almost got caught up on the day. GS Caltex ace Giselle Silva (registered name Silva) was not expected to return, and started the game by conceding the first set.
Even though they had many chances to finish the game in the fourth set, they eventually allowed the fifth set, and in the last set, they were on the verge of defeat, rushing to 12-14. However, Silva’s attack missed and he had a great chance, and eventually, setter Kim Dae-eun scored through pass painting and narrowly won.
From the third set, Kang gradually participated in the scoring procession and contributed to the victory by scoring 22 points with a 48.72 percent attack success rate. “I feel like I could have made the game a little easier, but I’m sorry I couldn’t,” Kang told reporters after the match. “I think we need to improve our ability to deal with clutch situations.”
In fact, Korea Expressway Corporation is having difficulties early this season as its main setter, Lee Yoon-jung, failed to display good performance and foreign players also showed jagged performance. Korea is clearly leading GS Caltex by garnering three wins out of three games, while losing all games to other teams. Coach Kim Jong-min and Kang So-hwi did not smile despite their escape from five consecutive losses.
Coach Kim Jong-min said after the game, “[Yoon-jung] played well from the first set for the first time in a long time. It was good in terms of using the player, but since he clearly lost the decisiveness in the open high-ball chance, he is allowing the team to chase easily even with a wide gap. If we are to become a strong team, we need to make sure that we make a clear difference in points. We had some difficulties in the beginning due to the preparation of the game, thinking that there would be no Silva, but I think we won because he fulfilled some of the parts that we wanted to keep.” 토토사이트
Coincidentally, Kang is in charge of interviewing a veteran player while flying high in the match against GS Caltex. After graduating from Wongok High School, Kang joined the team as the first player in the rookie draft of the 2015-2016 V-League and played for eight seasons only at GS Caltex. He signed a three-year free agent contract worth 2.4 billion won (basic annual salary of 500 million won + option of 300 million won) and changed into a uniform of Korea Expressway Corporation.
“I think it’s up to others to decide whether I am well-melt into the construction,” Kang said with a smile. “I think I am getting along well with the setters, and I think I have melted into them,” Kang said. “In fact, GS Caltex feels a little different from my team because coaches and players have changed a lot. Still, I think I know what weaknesses are (as long-term players).”
The Korea Expressway Corporation is aiming to change the mood by filling the vacancy in the Asian quarter with Tanacha, who was with him last season. According to manager Kim Jong-min, Tanachi is rapidly incorporating into the team with better reception and energetic enthusiasm than the previous season. He also led the team’s offense with 19 points in the game, serving as a mood maker.
Kang So-hwi said with a big smile, “I think I’m only interviewing GS,” adding, “I hope I can win other teams and interview other team members in the near future.”
