Hyundai Engineering & Construction, led by head coach Kang Sung-hyung, won the set score 3-2 (23-25 25-21 21-25 25-17 15-13) in the second round of the women’s championship match against Heungkuk Life Insurance in the 2023-2024 V-League postseason at Suwon Indoor Gymnasium on the 30th.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which went straight to the championship game as No. 1 in the regular league, had a physical advantage over Heungkuk Life Insurance and maintained its concentration until the end thanks to the support of its home fans. Now, if Hyundai Engineering & Construction adds one more win in the remaining series, it will win the third championship game in the club’s history since 2010-2011 (No. 1 in the regular league) and 2015-2016 (No. 2 in the regular league).
On the other hand, Heungkuk Life Insurance, ranking second in the regular league, made it to the championship stage after a playoff against Jeonggwanjang, but it was in crisis after losing two consecutive games. Heungkuk Life Insurance now has only one chance to win the championship game: three consecutive wins in the 3rd to 5th rounds.
At Hyundai Engineering & Construction, “Ace” Letizia Moma Basoko (registered name Moma) led the team to victory by scoring 34 points, the most points between the two teams. Yang Hyo-jin (19 points), Jeong Ji-yoon (15 points), and Wipawi Sitong (registered name Wipawi, 12 points) also contributed by scoring in double digits.
Heungkuk Life Insurance’s triangle formation led by Kim Yeon-koung (28 points), Willow Johnson (25 points), and Raina Tokoku (22 points) jointly scored 75 points, but failed to overcome their physical limitations and collapsed. It was regrettable that the number of serves was pushed back to 3-8.
▲Both teams’ starting lineup
-Hyundai E&C: Setter Kim Da-in-Outside Heater Wipawi Sitong (registered name Wipawi)-Medium Blocker Lee Da-hyun-Apogit Spiker Moma-Outside Heater Jung Ji-yoon-Medium Blocker Yang Hyo-jin, Libero Kim Yeon-kyeon
-Heungkuk Life: Setter Lee Won-jung, Outside Heater Kim Yeon-koung, Middle Blocker Kim Soo-ji, Apogit Spiker Willow-Outside Heater Raina Tokoku-Middle Blocker Lee Ju-ah, Libero Do Soo-bin
▲1 set: Heungkuk Life Insurance overcame the gap early in the game
Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which succeeded in gaining the upper hand with a victory in the first game, took the lead early in the first set. At 6-5, MOMA succeeded in the back attack, and Kim Dain’s serve ace added Wipawi’s quick opening. As MOMA added one point, the score widened to 10-5.
Heungkuk Life Insurance did not stay put either. The team was dragged 16-20, and Kim Yeon-koung, Kim Su-ji, and Raina scored back-to-back points to chase down a one-point gap. In the 19-21 match, Kim D-in made a mistake and Willow scored a goal to tie the match at 21-21.
It was Willow who led the team to come from behind. Willow scored one point with a quick open at 21-22, and turned the game around with a serve ace. Afterwards, Heungkuk Life Insurance took 24-23 set points with Willow and Jung Ji-yoon’s poor serve, and Kim Yeon-koung scored, tying the first set.
▲Set 2: Hyundai Engineering & Construction’s counterattack that raised concentration
Heungkuk Life Insurance, which scored three points at the start of the second set, showed a strong performance. However, Hyundai E&C took the lead in counterattack, and gradually accumulated points from the beginning of the second set.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which made it 18-16 by scoring from MOMA and Wipawi at 16-16, continued to take the lead and took a step closer to winning the second set with Yang Hyo-jin’s open and MOMA’s serve aces at 20-19. After MOMA took the set point with a back attack at 23-21, substitute Hanmar ended the second set with a serve aces.
Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which showed 60.7% of the attack success rate, had the upper hand in both blocking and serving aces. Heungkuk Life Insurance, where Raina struggled with eight points, failed to continue the flow of the first set.
▲3rd set: Heungkuk Life Insurance, which did not collapse, Kim Yeon-kyung and Willow’s twin guns exploded
The defeat in the second set could have calmed the mood, but Heungkuk Life changed the atmosphere with “left and right twin guns” Kim Yeon-koung and Willow. After the middle of the third set, the two players made a lot of points in attack and bothered Hyundai Engineering & Construction. On top of that, with a 21-19 lead, Lee Ju-ah boosted her confidence by blocking Yang Hyo-jin’s attack.
After Yang Hyo-jin’s swift attack, the set point was reached with Willow and Kim Yeon-koung scoring one after another at 22-20, and Kim Yeon-koung wrapped up the third set by a time difference after Park Soo-yeon’s poor serve. Kim and Willow each scored eight points in the third set, showing their will to win. MOMA only scored four points.
▲4th set: Hyundai E&C demonstrates its strength in the back, again with a close match in the full set
Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which wanted to go to Incheon with its second consecutive win, widened the gap from the beginning of the fourth set. It scored four consecutive points at 9-8, and again ran away with four consecutive points at 14-10, dampening Heungkuk Life’s willingness to pursue.
The score became 22-12 as MOMA’s back attack, Ko Min-ji’s serve ace, and Yang Hyo-jin’s consecutive points were added at the 18-12. Hyundai E&C, which took a breather thanks to the wide gap, ended the fourth set with Lee Da-hyun’s score at the 24-17.
In particular, Hyundai E&C’s strength in height has revived. While Heungkuk Life failed to make a single block, Yang Hyo-jin, a “veteran” at Hyundai E&C, was responsible for three blockings alone.
▲5th set: A fierce battle, Ace Moma finished
In the fifth set, where victory was at stake, neither team had any intention of backing down. Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which took the lead first, tried not to allow an empty space. Heungkuk Life Insurance sought a dramatic turnaround with Kim Yeon-koung and Willow.
As Heungkuk Life Insurance, which was losing 9-12, followed 11-12 with consecutive points by Raina, Hyundai Engineering & Construction recovered one point with Yang Hyo-jin’s score, and after Raina’s quick opening, Moma won one point with a back attack.
Heungkuk Life Insurance narrowed the distance to 13-14 with Kim Yeon-koung’s score, but Hyundai Engineering & Construction had Moma. After Lee Ju-ah’s serve, the rally continued, and Moma, who received Kim Da-in’s toss, confirmed the victory with a back attack.
The third leg of the championship match between the two teams will be held at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon at 7 p.m. on April 1. If Hyundai Engineering & Construction wins the third round, the series will be completed as it is, and if Heungkuk Life Insurance wins, the fourth round will be held on April 3. 메이저 토토사이트