It was a game to swallow.
The KEPCO men’s professional volleyball team suffered a bitter defeat against KB Insurance in the first round of the Dodram 2023-2024 V-League at Suwon Indoor Gymnasium on Sunday with a set score of 2-3 (27-25 25-23 21-25 24-26 11-15). They lost the third set after taking two sets to none. They had to settle for one point.
The team had a 51.69%-29.67% advantage in receiving efficiency. They also held a narrow 52.89%-51.20% attacking success rate. They committed 30 errors, one less than their opponents (31). They were outblocked 7-14, and the teams were even at 6-6 in serves.
Outside hitter Thais Lesser Host (real name Thais) led the way with a team-high 25 points (47.73% attack percentage), including three serves and one block. His 12 errors were disappointing.
Middle blocker Shin Young-seok added 16 points with two blocks (73.68% attacking success rate), and outside hitter Seo Jae-duk followed with 16 points with one serve and one block (58.33% attacking success rate).
For KB Insurance, on the other hand, apogee spiker Andres Biyena (real name Biyena) was on fire. He scored a match-high 41 points (55.36% attack percentage) on five serves, five blocks, and 14 digs. It was the first match of the season in which she completed the Triple Crown (three or more serves, blocks, and digs in a match). They had 11 errors.
Outside hitter Hwang Kyung-min had 20 points (62.50% attack percentage) and Liu Hong-min had nine points (42.11% attack percentage), including one block.
After the match, Kwon Young-min, KEPCO’s head coach, said, “The first and second sets (of the win) were not that we played well, but we were anxious. I was worried about Tais and Ha Seung-woo’s breathing, and it showed.” Tais joined the team just before the start of the tournament after playing with the Dutch national men’s volleyball team. After three or four days of practicing with the team, they played their first match.
“We had a good chance to finish in three sets, but we had a lot of errors,” Kwon said. We usually don’t have many errors, but this time we had a lot,” Kwon said. “The problem is that the domestic players didn’t work well together when Tice came in. I think we will get better and better.”
Ryohei Iga (real name Ryohei), the highly anticipated outside hitter of the Asia Quarterfinals, boasted a 68.42% receiving efficiency on the day. She had 11 digs in 16 attempts. Both were team highs.메이저사이트
Coach Kwon said, “At the libero position, I think the first thing is the reception. She received well and defended well. She was flawless.”
The team was disappointed that they were unable to stop their opponent, outside hitter Bjorna. “We didn’t stop her well last season either,” Kwon said. In practice, we worked on blocking systems and defensive drills to prepare for her attacks.” “It’s not that we couldn’t stop her, but she was really good today (Nov. 17). Hwang Kyung-min was also very good, so I think we had a tough match.”
The team will play its second match of the season against OK Financial Group in Ansan on May 20. “I think we only played at 60 percent,” Kwon said. It’s the first game of the season, and there are still a lot of games left,” Kwon said, adding, “There’s nothing else to say. We will analyze OK Financial Group and practice accordingly,” he said.
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