KOREA SEAL FIRST WIN IN 22ND ASIAN WOMEN’S U20 CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 3-0 ROUT OF CHINESE TAIPEI

Jiangmen, China, July 1, 2024 – Fired-up Korea proved too strong for Chinese Taipei to pull off convincing straight-set 25-13, 25-18, 25-17 win in their opening Pool D encounter at the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium here on Monday.

Middle blocker and skipper Kim Sebeen and Lee Jiyun scored 9 point apiece for Korea, with Lee Jua adding another 8. Hsu Fang-Min led Chinese Taipei with 8 points.

Korea, which finished a well-earned fourth place at the previous edition in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan two years ago, fought well in their match against Chinese Taipei. After leveling it at 4-4, Korea started to dominate the set.

Terrific setter Kim Daeun scored three points in a row with her powerful jump serves, while outside hitter Jeon Dabin and middle blocker Lee Jiiyun tore the smaller blockers with their exceptional attacks to break away 10-5. Despite a fightback from the rivals, Korea intensified their defence and attacked devastatingly to stretch it to 18-9 and 24-12. They allowed Chinese Taipei only one more point from an aggressive attack from opposite Hsu Fang-Min to wrap up the one-sided set 25-13.

Korea still played fast game with excellent teamwork, consistency and resilience. After 5-5, Korea stormed on with their mighty attacks and efficient blocks to take control of the scoreboard and led commandingly 19-10. Chinese Taipei regained their composure to gain some vital points, but their fine form came too late. Korea continued their remarkable run to win the set 25-18.

The third set was still dominated by Korea. After taking a narrow 8-6 lead, Korea mixed their offensive combinations with powerful attacks from Jeon Dabin and Kim Sebeen and solid blocks by 19Kim Daeun and Lee Jiyun to widen it to 22-15. Chinese Taipei asked for timeout to improve their performance, but it could not help that much as the Koreans made short work of the fighting opponents, allowing them only two more points to capture the set 25-17 and match.

The Korea’s dominance was visible in the match stats as the winners dominated in kills (30 to 25), blocks (10 to 4) and aces (8 to 0), besides benefiting from more opponent errors (27 to 19).