Suwon, Korea, July 22, 2017 – Korean volleyball superstar Kim Yeon-Koung topped all scorers with 18 points to lead her team to their record sixth-straight win in Group 2 of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-19) win over Colombia at Suwon Indoor Gymnasium on Saturday.
Kim Yeon-Koung was excellent from the attack line with 17 hits then completed her 18 markers with a block point. Yang Hyo Jin was the second best scorer with 13 points, including eight attacks, two blocks and three aces. Yeisy Soto and Dayana Segovia led Colombia with 12 points each.
Korea recorded their longest winning streak in the World Grand Prix with a run of six victories. Korea now have a 7-1 win-loss record, while Colombia dropped to three wins and five losses in Group 2.
Colombia closed the first set in their opponents’ favour with a service error, after they fought hard down the final stretch of the set. Korea minimised their errors in the next two sets and allowed their main hitter Kim Yeon-Koung operate on her powerful hits to secure the straight-set win for the Asian side.
Korea coach Hong Sungjin: “It was our first time to play against Colombia. I feel that this team would grow into a great one because the players all had power although they lacked experience because of their age. I think our players played very well today. In the third set, we already adapted to Colombia’s style of play and we were able to continue with our own style.”
Korea captain Kim Yeon-Koung: “We were nervous at first because this would secure our spot in the Final Four if we win this match. It was our first time to play against Colombia and we had difficulty adapting to their style of play. We put in our best effort and I think that was how we won the match today. I look forward to competing in the World Grand Prix Group 2 Finals and win the competition. I think our strong point is our serve and we will try to focus on winning through successful serves.”
Colombia coach Antonio Rizola: “The lack of experience of our players was the key reason why we lost.”
Colombia captain Maria Alejandra Marin: “We knew from the beginning that Korea are a strong team and that we had to focus against them. I am glad that we had focus and worked hard in some parts of the match. However, we had a difficult time to focus at the end of each set. We committed many mistakes and it made it harder for us to actually win the sets.”
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