KOREA PACK OFF UZBEKISTAN IN COMFORTABLE STRAIGHT SETS IN 22ND ASIAN SENIOR WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, September 1, 2023 – Devastating Korea stormed past Uzbekistan in a completely one-sided affair in their last preliminary Pool C match in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship at Chartchai Hall here on Friday.

Korea, which claimed only three points from one win (3-2) against Chinese Taipei and one loss (2-3) to Vietnam, had no trouble in demolishing Uzbekistan 25-12, 25-15, 25-12 to collect 6 points in total, awaiting the match result between Vietnam and Chinese Taipei at the second competition hall inside The Mall Korat Department Store to determine the top two out of four teams in Pool C.

Pyo Seungju was the Korea’s leading scorer of the match with a total of 16 points to her name, followed by middle blocker Jung Hoyoung with 13 and outside hitter Lee Hanbi with 9. Sativoldieva Ezozakhon led Uzbekistan with 9 points.

Against Uzbekistan, the team which have yet won a single set from their respective rivals, Korea fielded a strong lineup, with Pyo Seungju, Lee Hanbi and Kwon Minji leading the charge. The Koreans performed brilliantly to seize the lead with a 5-point clear at 15-10 and from there, taking the advantage when the Uzbeks became prone to unforced mistakes, went on their mighty attacks to score six points in a row to extend the lead to 21-10. Korea took the comfortable first set 25-12.

Korea dominated the second set to clinch an early 18-9 lead, but Uzbekistan gradually pulled their game together to win some crucial points through their back-to-back blockings. As Uzbekistan started to produce the goods, Korea’s strong serving and mighty counter-attacks made the big difference in the rest of the set. Korea wrapped up the set 25-15, again without much effort.

In the third set, Korea ran away with another wide lead 19-6 and despite putting up a good fight, Uzbekistan still found the rivals too strong to deal with. Korea went on their attack to win the easy set 25-12 and match.