The men’s KOVO Cup opens with two games where old head-to-head scores may be a poor shortcut. KEPCO are still splitting setter work, while KB Stars are trying to build connections under a new coach with their usual setter coming back from surgery. In the other group, Hyundai’s national-team call-ups cut into full-squad preparation, and Busan OK have new players to fit together. I’m curious which team can make its first attack repeatable once the opening nerves pass.
Ha Seung-woo told CBS NoCut News that KEPCO’s six-player drills have given him and Lee Min-gyu roughly equal chances. Coach Seok Jin-wook also said the timing with a new overseas player needs work. KB coach Ramirez described the cup as a chance to refine tactics and chemistry, and said Hwang Taek-ui was still short of full fitness after ankle surgery. That makes the setter-to-hitter connection a live issue on both sides, rather than a simple reading of their last meeting.
Hyundai coach Philippe Blanc said national-team duties kept several core players out of preseason work and that integrating Zhang Chuan remains a task. Busan OK presented a changed roster at its send-off after an open match with KEPCO. These are preparation signals, not a promise about how either cup match will play out.
