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Women’s volleyball captivating fans, reaching its climax

By Min Byung-jun | 기사입력 2025/01/22 [21:45]

Women’s volleyball captivating fans, reaching its climax

By Min Byung-jun | 입력 : 2025/01/22 [21:45]

 



The charm of sports lies in its results defying expectations. Fans are exhilarated by games where the underdog triumphs over the front runner, feeling as if they’ve witnessed a “small miracle.” This universal human tendency to root for the underdog makes their victories even more satisfying.

 

If you’re weary of the monotony of daily life or bored by “predictable games” with “foreseen outcomes,” gather around the TV and make sure to catch the live broadcasts of the V-League Women’s Volleyball matches. The entertainment is reserved for those who take the time to tune in.

 

The DODRAM 2024–2025 V-League Women’s Division has been full of surprises. The fourth round, which kicked off with the new year, has been a series of upsets and chaos. Top-tier teams have been caught in losing streaks or defeated by lower-ranked teams, creating a highly competitive and unpredictable league. Meanwhile, mid-tier teams are racking up wins, intensifying the race for spring season.

 

 

At the heart of this season’s excitement is the “rebellion of the underdogs.” Pepper Savings Bank, a team that had been perennial bottom-dwellers since its inception, stunned defending champions Hyundai E&C on January 12th, securing its third consecutive victory. They had managed just one win against Hyundai E&C over the past three seasons, but in the 2024–2025 season alone, they’ve beaten them twice, in both the third and fourth rounds. With these three consecutive wins, they’ve set a new club record for the longest winning streak. In the past three seasons, after having achieved only three, five, and five wins respectively, Pepper has already tallied eight wins this season, currently sitting in fifth place. Notably, their victories include top contenders like Hyundai E&C and IBK Altos, the teams vying for a playoff spot. The revival of key players such as Lee Han-bi, alongside standout performances from Park Jung-ah, Tylor, and Zhang Wei, has been pivotal. On January 16th, they will face Heungkuk Life Insurance, the only team they have yet to defeat this season, aiming to extend their winning streak to four.

 

The sixth-placed Korea Expressway Corporation and seventh-placed GS Caltex are also not to be underestimated. Korea Expressway Corporation faced Hyundai E&C and Heungkuk Life Insurance in succession at the start of the fourth round, pushing both matches to five sets. They suffered a loss to Hyundai E&C but pulled off a victory against Heungkuk Life Insurance, demonstrating resilience. The bold utilization of rookie setter Kim Da-eun has brought growing stability to the team.

 

GS Caltex, though still navigating through growing pains, is making waves. Opposite spiker “Ice Princess” Silva has emerged as a formidable threat to opposing teams. On January 7th, Silva scored 50 points, leading GS Caltex to a thrilling 3-2 victory over league leaders Heungkuk Life Insurance, snapping their 14-game losing streak. Even in their loss to KGC on January 10th, they battled fiercely to the fifth set, with Silva singlehandedly racking up 49 points. As a result, GS Caltex is no longer seen as an easy opponent, becoming a key player in the “underdog uprising.”

 

Meanwhile, IBK Altos, coached by legendary setter Kim Ho-chul, who once led the golden era of Korean men’s volleyball, also poses a significant challenge. Known for his fierce, determined demeanor, Coach Kim leads the team with conviction. With Asian quota player Chen Xin-tong’s exceptional setting skills and Victoria’s powerful spikes slicing through opponents’ defenses, along with contributions from players like Yuk Seo-young, Hwang Min-kyung, and Lee Joo-ah, IBK Altos is capable of reshaping the league standings at any time.

 

The rise of these underdog teams is putting pressure on the top-ranked teams. When the V-League Women’s Division began, Kim Yeon-koung’s Heungkuk Life Insurance seemed unstoppable, riding a 14-game winning streak that set a new club record. Few fans doubted their eventual league victory. However, the team’s opposite spiker Tutku was injured, significantly weakening their roster. Consequently, their recent record has been an astonishing 1 win and 5 losses. The performance of the newly recruited replacement player, Matejko, will be critical moving forward. Although Heungkuk Life Insurance remains in first place, their lead over second-place Hyundai E&C becomes vulnerable.

 

Hyundai E&C, last season’s regular-season and championship winner, is struggling to maintain its position. Despite retaining key players like opposite spiker Moma, outside hitter Wipawee, and middle blockers Yang Hyo-jin and Lee Da-hyun, the team’s reliance on Moma for scoring is proving problematic due to her inconsistent performances.

 

Hyundai E&C is struggling to stay in the race for the top spot, despite having won both the regular season and the championship finals last season. While they are diligently chasing Heungkuk Life, they will need to pick up their pace in earning points to stage a dramatic comeback in the second half of the season. Hyundai E&C aimed for a two-year combined championship streak by retaining players like opposite spiker Moma, outside hitters Wi Pa-wee, Jeong Ji-yoon, and middle blockers Yang Hyo-jin and Lee Da-hyun. However, there is a high reliance on Moma for their offense, and concerns are growing due to the inconsistency in her performance.

 

As the first- and second-place teams falter against lower-ranked opponents, third-place KGC Ginseng Corporation is closing the gap. KGC wrapped up the third round with six straight wins and is currently on a nine-game winning streak, setting a new club record after 16 years. The dynamic duo of opposite spiker Boquiritch and Asian quota outside hitter Meg has been instrumental, supported by libero Noh Ran’s tenacious defense. With these factors in play, KGC is shifting from a two-way to a three-way race for the championship.

 

As of now, the league standings are: Heungkuk Life Insurance (45 points), Hyundai E&C (43 points), KGC Ginseng Corporation (36 points), IBK Altos (32 points), Pepper Savings Bank (24 points), Korea Expressway Corporation (18 points), and GS Caltex (9 points).

 

The women’s volleyball league has reached its climax, with underdogs stepping up and disrupting the status quo. Fans eagerly anticipate which teams will make it to the playoffs and which will ultimately claim the championship trophy.

 

#Sports #UnderdogVictory #VLeague #WomensVolleyball #PepperSavingsBank #HyundaiEC #GSCaltex #IBKAltos #KGC #HeungkukLifeInsurance #Tylor #Silva #WinningStreak #VolleyballUpsets #ChampionshipRace

 
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