Heungkuk Life Insurance was the winner in the defensive war.
Heungkuk Life Insurance won a set score 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-15) in the 5th round match against Dodram 2022-2023 V-League Hyundai E&C at Suwon Gymnasium on the 7th.
Heungkuk Life Insurance, who succeeded in winning streak with valuable victories, recorded 20 wins, 6 losses and 60 points. The ranking was still second, but it was significant in that it erased the gap with the leader.
On the other hand, Hyundai E&C maintained its lead with 21 wins, 5 losses and 60 points, but it has become a situation where it has to fight fiercely for the lead. In the match between the two teams this season, Hyundai E&C still showed an advantage of 3 wins and 2 losses. The remaining 6 rounds of head-to-head matches became very important.
On this day, 3,731 spectators visited the Suwon Gymnasium even on a weekday, and it radiated so much heat that there was no empty seat in the gym. The players responded with all-out defense. Concentration was at its peak. In the heat of the crowd, the players played a defensive war and presented a wonderful game.
Heungkuk Life Insurance led the victory with Kim Yeon-kyung scoring 22 points and Yelena scoring 20 points. The game was solved with a 54-45 advantage in attack scoring and a 7-1 advantage in blocking. On the other hand, Hyundai Engineering and Construction posted 14 points for Yang Hyo-jin and 10 points for Jeong Ji-yoon, but regret remained as they lost the second set.
For Heungkuk Life Insurance, Apposite Spiker Kim Mi-yeon, Outside Hitters Kim Yeon-kyung and Yelena, Middle Blockers Lee Joo-ah and Kim Na-hee, Setter Lee Won-jung and Libero Kim Hae-ran stepped onto the court first. Hyundai E&C started with Apposite Spiker Hwang Yeon-joo, outside hitters Hwang Min-kyung and Jung Ji-yoon, middle blockers Yang Hyo-jin and Da-hyun Lee, setter Kim Da-in and libero Kim Yeon-gyeon.
Immediately after the start of the game , Heungkuk Life Insurance took the lead in the first set . With Kim Yeon-kyung and Yelena’s front-and-back attacks, they took an 11-7 lead.
Hyundai E&C pursued 14-15 with Jeong Ji-yoon’s 스포츠토토left strike and the opponent’s 3 consecutive offenses. Yang Hyo-jin scored consecutively from midfield to tie the score at 17-17.
When Hyundai E&C succeeded in reversing 19-18 due to opponent Kim Yeon-kyung’s mistake, Heungkuk Life Insurance succeeded in reversing with Lee Won-jeong’s blocking score following Yelena’s back-end strike. It was a bloody battle.
In the continued 22-21, Heungkuk Life Insurance ran to 24-21 with a strong hit following Kim Mi-yeon’s paint score.
Hwang Yeon-joo’s back attack from Hyundai E&C was out. Heungkuk Life Insurance won the first set. The score was 25-21.
2 sets . Hyundai E&C started with Jeong Ji-yoon in the 4th position. Heungkuk Life Insurance had the same formation as the first set.
A tense tug-of-war continued until 8-8 at the beginning of the set.
Afterwards, Heungkuk Life Insurance took a 10-8 lead with Kim Yeon-kyung’s consecutive hits. Hyundai E&C did not back down. Yang Hyo-jin’s sharp attack was followed by Jeong Ji-yoon’s strong blow, and the score was tied at 14-14.
In the ensuing 19-19, Heungkuk Life took a 21-19 lead with the opponent’s offense and Yelena’s strong blow. As Yelena’s touchout score was retrieved through video reading, the scoreboard indicated 23-20.
Hyundai E&C pursued 22-23 with Hwang Yeon-joo’s front and rear goals in a row. When Heungkuk Life Insurance touched the 24-22 set point with Yelena’s high RBI attack, Hyundai E&C drove the game to 24-24 deuce with Yang Hyo-jin’s consecutive goals.
The set was taken by Heungkuk Life again this time. At 25-25, Kim Yeon-kyung’s continuous blows embroidered the court. In the final attack situation, Hyundai Engineering & Construction’s Kim Yeon-gyeon Libero suffered a right ankle injury and was lying on the court, so it was regrettable that the game continued uninterrupted.
3 sets. For Hyundai E&C, Young-Joo Lee Libero stepped up. Heungkuk Life Insurance continued its position in the first set. At the beginning of the set, Heungkuk Life Insurance led by a 10-5 double score. Kim Yeon-kyung and Yelena’s strong hits combined with Lee Won-jung’s blocking score.
Victory and defeat were gradual. Heungkuk Life Insurance maintained a 16-8 double score with Yelena’s back-up hit following Joo-ah Lee’s quick break.
Eventually, this gap was no longer narrowed. Heungkuk Life Insurance won the third set easily and finished the match. It was the moment when the battle for the lead became more intense.