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GS Caltex Seoul Kixx go undefeated in postseason to clinch V League title

Published: 05 Apr. 2026, 18:48 Updated: 05 Apr. 2026, 19:21

Players on the GS Caltex Seoul Kixx, which finished third in the regular season, celebrate after becoming champions in the postseason on April 5. [KOREA VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION]

Regular-season No. 3 GS Caltex Seoul Kixx won the 2025-26 V League women’s title Sunday, completing the first undefeated postseason run in league history.

The Kixx beat regular-season No. 1 Korea Expressway Corporation Hi-Pass 3-1 in Game 3 of the best-of-five championship series at Jangchung Gymnasium in Jung District, central Seoul. With that, the Kixx lifted the trophy with a three-match sweep.

The team went 6-0 in the postseason. Back in the spring volleyball spotlight for the first time in five years, the Kixx were unstoppable. The team advanced to the playoffs by beating regular-season No. 4 Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders 3-1 in the league’s first-ever single-game preliminary playoff.

In the best-of-three playoffs, the Kixx kept rolling against regular-season No. 2 Hyundai E&C Hillstate. It clinched a place in the championship series with two straight wins, taking the opener on the road 3-1 and Game 2 at home 3-0.

The momentum the Kixx carried into the finals was overwhelming. It had beaten Hi-Pass just once in six regular-season meetings, but looked like a completely different team in the title series. The Kixx defeated Hi-Pass 3-1 in Game 1 on the road and followed with a 3-2 win in Game 2 away from home.

Needing just one more win to claim the championship, the Kixx returned home and kept the pressure on in Game 3. It further rattled a Hi-Pass side with wavering receiving, repeatedly targeting the fact that its opponent had few offensive options beyond open attacks. The Kixx steadily piled up points by shutting down Hi-Pass at the net, turning blocks and deflections into attacking chances.

After taking the first set by 10 points, 25-15, the Kixx appeared to get too excited with the title within reach and gave away the second with a string of errors. The match was tied at 1-1.

Kixx player Gyselle Silva, right, attacks during a match on April 5 [KOREA VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION]

The turning point came in the third set. In a tight battle, the Kixx held a narrow 19-17 lead when Gyselle Silva showed signs of injury. Play stopped, and Silva appeared to be in pain. With her importance to the team so overwhelming, the Kixx could not feel safe about the title even with two wins already in the series if she went down.

After catching her breath, Silva signaled that she was okay. Only then did coach Lee Young-taek and the Kixx players breathe a sigh of relief. The Kixx took the third set to move back in front and then closed out the fourth.

Silva led all scorers with 36 points while posting a 47.89 percent attack success rate in Game 3. She was named the championship series MVP.

The Kixx outside hitter Kwon Min-ji added 15 points, including two from blocks, while middle blocker Oh Se-yeon neutralized the Hi-Pass attack with eight block points alone. Above all, setter Ahn Hye-jin directed the win with her veteran toss work.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHANG HYE-SOO [[email protected]]