Jiangmen, China, July 5, 2024 – Korea maintained their unbeaten streak at the 22nd Asian Women’s U20 Volleyball Championship after overpowering India in comfortable straight sets 25-16, 25-18, 25-10 in the round of last 8 at the Jiangmen Sports Center Gymnasium on Friday.
Outside hitter Lee Jua was the Korea’s leading scorer of the match with a total of 14 points including 13 attacks from 20 attempts to her name, followed by middle blockers Lee Jiyun and Kim Sebeen with 9 and 8 respectively. Kavita led India with 12 points from 11 attacks and one block.
The first set was competitive at the beginning, with both Korea and India trading points through their attacks and blocks. At 10-10, Korea worked on their defensive system, orchestrated by Kim Sebeen and Lee Jua to take the lead with a three-point clear at 18-15 and after that, the Koreans found their rhythm to score five points in a row, taking an advantage when India started to become prone with unforced mistakes.
At the home stretch, the 18-year Kavita, who had already played with India national team in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women in the Philippines early this year, hit a powerful blow to hand India one more point before Korea bagged the remaining two including the last point from Kavita’s attacking error on her second attempt. Korea took the first set 25-16.
Korea dominated the second set. Lee Jua, Lee Ji Yun and Gwak Seon Ok took turns puncturing the Indian defence with their exceptional attacks to help the team take an early 14-4 lead, widening it to 19-13 and 22-16. Kavita scored India’s last two points before Korea clinched the set 25-18 for a commanding 2-0 lead.
Korea still lived up to expectations in the third set. With Lee Jua and Jeon Dabin on fire in attack and Kim Daeun carrying powerful jump serves, the Koreans remained strong offensively to lead 10-6 and cruised on to widen the gap to 15-7. The on-going battle after that became one-way traffic as the Koreans continued their exceptional tactics and form to capture the set 25-10 and match.
“India tried to serve more strongly and we prepared for receiving, ready for attacks, but I think our offense is not that good. We will play much stronger opponents like Japan tomorrow and I think we still have more to work on to play them effectively. After this match, I’m quite certain that my team will advance to the semifinals and we will do our best in ever match we are gonna play out there,” said Korea head coach Chang Yoon Hee after the match.
India will next take on Chinese Taipei, with Korea challenging defending champions Japan on Saturday.
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