The team overcame the threat of losing two consecutive games. Men's professional volleyball Samsung Fire opened the 2023-24 season of the Dodram V League with a home game against Hyundai Capital at Chungmu Gymnasium in Daejeon on Monday.
An important match for both teams. It was the last match of the second round, and a loss would mean a losing streak. The result was a 3-2 victory over Hyundai Capital in a full-set match.
Once again, Samsung Fire took the first set. However, just like the previous match against KEPCO, they dropped the second and third sets in straight sets. They also lost 1-3 against KEPCO, so it looked like it would be the same story this time.
However, Samsung Fire wouldn't repeat that. They won the fourth set to level the match and smiled in the last five sets. With one win and two points in hand, the team finished their second round schedule.
But there are challenges. Kim Jung-ho's form has been off. "We were able to win the match that went to a full set because the players didn't give up and held on," Samsung Fire head coach Kim Sang-woo said in an official interview with the media after the match against Hyundai Capital, adding, "I'm very grateful to (the players)."
However, Kim added, "Regardless of the outcome of the match, I think we need to look back at the part where we had a chance to win the third set but gave it to our opponent and lost the set." In other words, the team took a match that could have been won 3-1 to five sets.
Samsung Fire's depth of available players has dwindled recently compared to the beginning of the season. Kim Jung-ho has a cold. He's not feeling well. That's why he wore a mask on the court today.
"(Kim) is not feeling well," Kim said, "and Son Hyun-jong and Park Sung-jin are also not in a position to play due to injuries." Son Hyun-jong has a thigh injury and Park Sung-jin has a shoulder injury.
With limited options, Kim Woo-jin had a perfect performance on the day. Starting as an outside hitter instead of her usual position as an outside hitter, Kim put up 10 points, including two blocks and two service aces. Her attack percentage was also not bad at 46.1%.
"Kim Woo-jin did a really good job," Kim said, "and Shin Shin-ho did a good job of covering the areas where his reception was shaky," adding, "(Kim Woo-jin) hadn't played in a starting role in a long time.
Kim returned to the team after retiring from the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Commerce) and made his mark in his third game. Kim is looking forward to Woo-jin's performance in the return match against Hyundai Capital (Cheonan Yugusun Gymnasium) on Friday, the first game of the third round. 토토사이트