Kim Yeon-koung, the “volleyball emperor,” changed the team’s atmosphere by 180 degrees. It was a come-from-behind victory that cooled the heated atmosphere of the opponent team. Heungkuk Life Insurance won the match against Pepper Savings Bank with a set score of 3-1 (23-25, 27-25, 25-16, 25-22) in the fourth round of the Dodram 2023-2024 season held at Pepper Stadium in Gwangju on Tuesday.
With the victory, Heungkuk Life Insurance posted 17 wins and five losses (47 points), trailing its leader, Hyundai Engineering & Construction (50 points). On the other hand, the lowest-ranked Pepper Savings Bank pressured Heungkuk Life Insurance early in the game in a fiercely fiery mood, but it collapsed after a come-from-behind defeat in the second set, overturning the gap by a whopping eight points. It also missed the opportunity to increase to double-digit points.
Heungkuk Life showed signs of exhaustion early in the game. The season has already entered the second half, and Heungkuk Life has been forced to do so since December with the end of the 3rd. The day was only two days off since the full set match against IBK Industrial Bank of Korea on the 4th. 슬롯머신
However, Kim Yeon-koung served as a troubleshooter whenever she faced difficulties, and Raina displayed strength like a rubber ball when she needed energy. Heungkuk Life remained calm after winning the second set in a sweeping victory.
Pepper Savings Bank played the game by elevating the team’s atmosphere to the highest level since the so-called “Yasmine Meeting.” Shortly after losing against GS Caltex on Tuesday, Yasmeen called up his players on the court in a surprise move. “You can’t get used to losing. End your weakness today,” Yasmeen said in a heated speech.
Pepper Savings Bank coach Joe Trinzie displayed uncharacteristic confidence before the game. He said, “I underwent good training to enhance the team’s cohesion. Park Jung-ah’s leadership was outstanding. Please watch the rest of the season.” Pepper Stadium was fully booked up to the third floor on the day, and 4,000 seats were all sold out.
Pepper Savings Bank players’ atmosphere was impressive with Yasmeen and Park Jung-ah at the center. Yasmeen’s passion for throwing body without hesitation spread to other players as well. Her serve strategy to focus on the tired “36-year-old veteran” Kim Yeon-koung was also impressive.
Heungkuk Life Insurance narrowly lost the first set. The team was dragged 14-19 and 16-22, and pursued in a fierce chase at the last minute, but failed to overturn it. It seemed that the team was collapsing in the second set, with a position fault as well. Veteran Kim Su-ji also made a mistake. Coach Avon Dan-ja, who replaced setters and started breathing fire one after another, was devastated.
However, Heungkuk Life had Kim Yeon-koung. When the position fault was revealed in the early part of the second set, she exclaimed, “Wake up everyone!” After falling behind by 13-21, Heungkuk Life settled the mood with Kim at the center.
The tide was completely turned when Kim Yeon-koung’s serve-ace, Raina’s direct kill, and Kim Soo-ji’s foot-digging continued. Heungkuk Life Insurance made it to deuce with consecutive points from Yelena and Raina at 21-23. Raina’s score from 25-25 and Yelena’s serve-ace won the second set.
The fourth set was a similar trend. Pepper Savings Bank was clearly different from usual. However, Yasmeen, who had been on fire in the early days, suffered double-digit errors and Park Jung-ah’s attack success rate sank to below 30 percent. Heungkuk Life Insurance Co. ended the game.