GS Caltex snapped Heungkuk Life’s nine-game winning streak in women’s volleyball. In the men’s game, Hyundai Capital snapped a six-game losing streak by sacrificing OK Financial Group.
GS Caltex defeated Heungkuk Saengsim 3-1 (25-20, 16-25, 27-25, 25-19) in the women’s Dodram 2023-24 V League at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon on Monday.
With the win, GS Caltex halted Heungkuk Sinsaeng’s 10-game winning streak and snapped its recent two-game losing streak in the league to remain in third place in the Women’s Division. 9 wins, 6 losses, 25 points.
Heungkuk Life, on the other hand, suffered a disappointing second loss of the season (12 L, 33 P) after a nine-game winning streak. They are one point behind second-place Hyundai E&C (10 W, 4 L, 32 P).
This was not GS Caltex, who had suffered an 0-3 defeat in the previous two meetings. GS Caltex was led by Giselle Silva with 27 points, while Kang So-hwi (19 points) and Yoo Seo-yeon (10 points) also scored in double figures.
After taking the first set 25-20 thanks to several crucial digs from libero Han Soo-jin and a string of unforced errors from their opponents, GS Caltex shot themselves in the foot with a whopping nine unforced errors in the second set alone, allowing them to tie the set score.
However, the third set proved to be a watershed moment. Leading 22-19, they found themselves in a tight spot at 22-23 after four straight points from their opponents, but Silva scored two consecutive points to earn set point.
Gilcera Heungkuk Life responded with a hard hit from Yelena to create a 24-24 deuce, and the two teams battled to 25-25.
It was GS Caltex who took the lead in the deciding set. GS Caltex took a one-point lead after Kang So-hwi’s quick opener, and after Han Soo-jin blocked Kim Yeon-kyung’s attack with a dig, Silva’s back-attack secured the third set.
With victory on the horizon, GS Caltex’s focus didn’t waver in the fourth set. They repeatedly broke the opponent’s will to chase, eventually taking the fourth set 25-19.
In the men’s match, Hyundai Capital swept OK Financial Group 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-18) to end the club’s longest losing streak. Hyundai remains in sixth place in the standings with 13 points from three wins (11 losses) on the season. OK Financial Group remained in fifth place with 8 wins and 7 losses (22 points).
They set the tone by taking a hard-fought first set. With the score tied at 23-23, Kim Myung-kwan blocked a hard shot from Song Hee-chae and Ahmed Iqbairi scored on a back-attack to take the advantage. At 25-24, Hong Dong-sun intercepted Jin Sang-heon’s fastball to take the first set.
After securing the first set, Hyundai Capital continued its momentum. From the beginning of the second set, Ahmed soared. He took the lead in maintaining the early momentum by hitting and blocking.
In the end, Hyundai Capital took the second set 25-14 and made match point, and in the third set, Ahmed’s strong serve and Heo Soo-bong’s interceptions ended the match early.
Ahmed exploded for 20 points on his own, especially with an 87.5 percent attack success rate, and completed his fourth Triple Crown of the season in the third set. Heo Su-bong (15 points), Hong Dong-sun (10 points), Choi Min-ho (6 points) and Tsai Fei-chang (4 points) also chipped in whenever the team needed them.