Hyundai Capital defeated Korean Air to win its first professional volleyball cup title in 11 years.
Hyundai Capital defeated Korean Airlines 3-2 (15-25 25-25 23 19-25 25-19 15-13) in the men’s final of the 2024 Tongyeong-Dodram Cup professional volleyball tournament at the 안전한 파워볼사이트 Tongyeong Gymnasium in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam, on Monday.
Hyundai Capital, which won the Cup from 2006-2008-2010-2013, returned to the top after 11 years and collected its fifth trophy in the organization’s history. The victory over Korean Air, which has won the Cup five times (2007-2011-2014-2019-2022), also tied Hyundai Capital for the most wins in the men’s division of the Cup.Head coach Philippe Blanc was honored with the trophy in his first tournament as head coach of Hyundai Capital. Hyundai Capital also took home 50 million won in prize money. The runner-up prize was 30 million won.
Heo Soo-bong, who led Hyundai Capital’s offense, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and received a prize of 3 million won. He received 23 out of 31 votes in the journalists’ poll, beating out teammate Leonardo Leyva Martinez (real name Leo), who received four votes.
Setter Lee Jun-hyeop, who joined Hyundai Capital as a trainee ahead of the 2022-2023 season, was named Rising Star (1 million won). Korean Air’s foreign outside hitter Yosvani Hernandez (registered name Yosvani) was named the runner-up team’s Most Valuable Player (MIP) and received a cash prize of 1 million won.
After dropping the first set in a blowout 0-7, Hyundai Capital evened the score by winning the second set. After dropping the third set, they won the fourth set and pushed the match to a fifth set.
The fifth set victory was also dramatic. Trailing 11-12, Hyundai Capital tied the match after a long rally that saw China’s Asian quota player Xin Feng hit a backhand attack.
The initial call was out, but after a video review, he was awarded a blocker touchout. At 12-12, Kim Sun-ho intercepted a back-attack from opponent Joo Po Yosubani and Xin Feng scored on a back-attack to take the lead.
Moon Sung-min’s centerline invasion tied the score again at 13-13, but Hyundai Capital made match point with a quick open from homegrown gun Heo Soo-bong. Another rally ensued, and Shin Feng blocked Yosubani’s back attack to give Hyundai Capital the victory.
Four players scored in double figures for Hyundai Capital on the day: Heo Soo-bong (21 points), Shin Feng (17 points), Leo (14 points), and Kim Jin-young (11 points). Korean Air was led by Yosvani Hernandez (21 points) and Lee Jun (17 points), but couldn’t get over the hump.