Inha University reclaimed the top spot in the 2023 KUSF University Volleyball U-League with a 3-1 (22-25, 25-13, 25-19, 25-20) set victory over Sungkyunkwan University in a preliminary match at Inha University Gymnasium in Incheon on Sunday.
The trio of Lee (sophomore, OH, 188 cm), Kim (sophomore, OP, 191 cm), and Seo (sophomore, OH, 188 cm) combined for 19 kills, 13 digs, and 11 points. The trio also led in both serving (9-4) and blocking (7-4) to secure the match.
Meanwhile, Sungkyunkwan University was led by Kim Jae-min (sophomore, OP, 190 cm) with 11 points and Kwon Tae-wook (junior, OH, 189 cm) with 10 points, but they were unable to take the momentum of the first set.
Both teams were focused from the 메이저사이트 start of the first set, exchanging points, but Inha University was more sophisticated in their breathing. Every time Sungkyunkwan University made an unforced error, Inha took advantage of the gap and gradually widened the gap.
Sungkyunkwan regained the momentum with their serve. Bae Ha-joon (sophomore, MB, 198 cm) shook up Inha University’s reception and scored back-to-back points to take the lead. Afterward, Kim Jae-min once again shook up the reception and extended the lead to 13-11, forcing a Inha University timeout.
The two-point gap was not easily closed. Sungkyunkwan University served effectively one after another, harassing Inha University’s receivers. This, coupled with an attack error by Lee, allowed Sungkyunkwan to pull further away at 19-16.
Inha University tried to break the momentum with a timeout, but it was not enough. Sungkyunkwan University scored a block to extend its lead to 21-16. Sungkyunkwan University, which did not lose the lead until the end, finished with an attacking score and won the first set.
The substitutions paid off for Inha University in the second set. With Choi Yeo-seom (sophomore, OH, 190 cm) looking shaky, the team replaced her with Lee Jae-hyun early in the set. Once the reception stabilized, Inha’s offense came alive and they took the lead.
Once the offense got going, one thing led to another. A block on the serve gave Inha University a big lead of 12-4. Sungkyunkwan University managed to break Seo Hyun-il’s long serve with a block, but they were out of breath and fell apart.
The gap grew wider towards the end of the set, and Inha University took the second set 25-13 to level the match. Substitute Lee Jae-hyun played a big role in the set, scoring nine points.
Inha-dae carried the momentum of the previous set into the third set. They played with the same lineup that brought them the second set and maintained the momentum. Meanwhile, Sungkyunkwan University made one unforced error after another, giving Inha University a chance to score.
At the beginning of the set, the gap Inha University had created was not easily closed. The one-two punch of Kim Min-hyuk and Lee Jae-hyun scored four points each, and Sungkyunkwan University committed 11 unforced errors to take the third set.
The fourth set unfolded in a different way. This time, Sungkyunkwan University took control. They took advantage of Inha University’s hiccups with errors and took the lead in the score.
Inha University didn’t back down easily either. They used their height to tie the game, and then it was a one-point battle. Inha University scored back-to-back points on Seo Hyun-il’s serve to take a 17-15 lead and set the tone for the rest of the game. The gap widened towards the end, and eventually Inha University reached match point at 24-20. Lee Jae-hyun scored the final point to seal the match for Inha University.