Hyundai E&C, the ‘leader’ in the women’s professional volleyball league, will face Heungkuk Life, the ‘daughter of legends’ with a new engine. As the season draws to a close, the ‘big match’ between the first and second-place teams is being called a preview of the championship. The venue, Suwon Indoor Gymnasium, has already sold out all 3,831 seats for the second time this season.
Hyundai E&C will host Heungkuk Life in the fifth round of the Dodram 2023-24 V-League on the afternoon of the 12th, the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday. Hyundai E&C is in first place with 65 points (21 W-8 L). Heungkuk Life is chasing Hyundai E&C with 59 points (21 W-8 D). In the first and second rounds, Heungkuk Life came from behind to win both games 3-2. However, 안전 토토사이트 in the third and fourth rounds, Hyundai E&C took three points each.
Hyundai E&C has the advantage of having a variety of scoring options. According to the Korea Volleyball Federation on Nov. 11, the team’s foreign ‘twin’ offense is fierce. Moma Vasoko Leticia (registered name Moma – 610 points) and Asian quota player Wipawi Sittong (registered name Wipawi – 268 points) pound down the opposing court from the left and right. Middle blockers Yang Hyo-jin (405 points) and Lee Da-hyun (221 points) put up barriers, while “multi-player” Jeong Ji-yoon (195 points) scores when opponents miss.
Heungkuk Life has been on a roll lately. They are led by Kim Yeon-kyung (576 points), Willow Johnson (née Willow), who has 53 points in three matches, and the “triangle squadron” of Reina Tokoku (née Reina-265 points). Middle blockers Lee Ju-ah (167 points) and Kim Su-ji (102 points) and attacker Kim Mi-yeon (133 points) support the “triangle formation”. Since Willow’s arrival, Heungkuk Saengsim has won three straight matches. Willow is the daughter of legendary Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Tus Randy Johnson.
In terms of total offense, Heungkuk Life scored 2429 points in 27 matches and 106 sets, while Hyundai E&C scored 2415 points in 27 matches and 105 sets. Their offensive scores are virtually identical.
The key to winning and losing is defense. In terms of blocked shots, Heungkuk Life had 480 and Hyundai E&C had 443. Receiving efficiency was 32.0% for Heungkuk Life and 35.2% for Hyundai E&C. In blocking, Heungkuk Sinsaeng had 2.21 blocks per set compared to 2.37 for Hyundai E&C. The difference in receiving efficiency, blocking, and error management is what separates Hyundai E&C from Heungkuk Sinsaeng.
In the women’s game, which is all about flow, the outcome of the match could be decided by early dominance. The outcome of the clash between Hyundai E&C, which is looking to solidify its dominance at the top of the standings, and Heungkuk Saengsim, which has been on a recent upswing, will be crucial to the season’s standings.