Jung Kwanjang’s fourth-year outside hitter (left) Kim Se-in (21) has emerged as a “game-changer” in the best-of-three (PO-3) playoffs.
The outside hitter won the Dodram 2023-24 Dodram V League Women’s PO Second Round match against Heungkuk Life 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 20-25, 25-15) in straight sets at Chungmu Gymnasium in Daejeon on Thursday. Giovanna Milana (also known as Gia) led the offense with 30 points and Megawati Pertiwi (also known as Mega) with 25 points. After losing the first round of the POs, Jungkwanjang was pushed to the brink, and with a sweep in Game 2, they can now put pressure on Heungkuk Life.
The foreign duo didn’t disappoint. The driving force behind Jung Kwan-jang’s victory in Game 2 was the substitution of a domestic outside hitter (left). Park Hye-min played the position in Game 1. Her reception was shaky, as she dropped back-to-back serves to opposing outside hitter Willow Johnson.
The left side was originally occupied by Korea’s captain Lee So-young, but she was injured in the GS Caltex match on the 7th and had to use a backup. In addition to contributing goals, Lee was a stabilizing force in defense and connection.
“I hope it doesn’t get into the ears of the opposing coach,” said head coach Go Hee-jin before the second game, and then said, “Today (Game 2), (Kim) Se-in will start instead of (Park) Hye-min.” He praised Kim’s serve-receiving stability and offensive power.
Ko’s choice paid off. Kim made a strong defensive contribution with a 64.71% receiving efficiency, while also providing alto-like support on offense with nine kills. She was a force to be reckoned with in every set and deciding game. Especially in the fourth set, when the score was 6-4, she attacked from the left side and scored with an exquisite floater serve at 8-4.
After the match, Ko Hee-jin said, “I think my opponent was definitely preparing for Park Hye-min to come out and didn’t think about (Kim) Se-in’s attack. It’s important 토토사이트 to react quickly, but it’s all difficult. Basically, (Kim) Sei-in did a great job, proving why we traded for him.”
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” Kim said when asked about his receiving efficiency rating in the postgame interview. “I was dumbfounded” when he heard the news of his starting spot, but now he has emerged as a key player to lead Jeong Kwan-jang’s team to the championship.
Kim said, “I will continue to practice to be able to withstand my opponent’s (serve) hard shots before the PO third round. I also want to show more technical skills in my offense, and I want to help (main guns) Mega and Jia make good attacks by connecting well in the second stage,” Kim said.