A 15th consecutive VNL defeat is in the bag.

The Korea Women’s National Team, coached by Cesar Hernández González, fell to the United States 0-3 (16-25, 25-27, 11-25) in their third match of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2023 Week 1 in Antalya, Turkey, on 3 March.

With the loss, Korea also went 0-3 against the USA, following their victories over Turkiye and Canada. It was their third consecutive 0-3 loss and failure to take a single set, extending their VNL losing streak to 15 matches.

Cesarho loses again. Photo courtesy of the International Volleyball Federation
The attacking score was even at 36-37, but blocking was an absolute disadvantage at 3-15. They were also 0-5 in serving and had 20 unforced errors, seven more than their opponents. Pyo Seung-ju was the only player on the team to score in double figures (11 points).

South Korea started with setter Kim Da-in, outside hitters Pyo Seung-ju and Kim Mi-yeon, middle blockers Park Eun-jin and Jung Ho-young, opposite spiker Moon Ji-yoon and libero Moon Jung-won.

After losing the first set 16-25, they fought back in the second set. They were able to withstand the opponent’s attacks, and their attackers shook the USA with their quick attacks. The centre was also strong. They led 9-3. Pyo Seung-ju and Kim Mi-yeon’s attacks caused the US defence line to panic.

But the Americans were not to be denied. They continued to chase and eventually closed to 9-12. Height came alive in the centre. But they were not done. The Korean bench erupted in cheers when Kim Dain fooled the opposing blocker line. The momentum continued. At 21-15, Kim extended the lead to seven points with a block by Kim Mi-yeon. It was 22-15. It was close.

But the US attack caught Korea off-guard. They started to slip up and gave up a 23-22 lead and then a 23-23 tie. Jung Ho-young had set point, but Moon Ji-yoon’s attack error led to a deuce. They couldn’t get over the hump, and Park Eun-jin’s attack was blocked, and they lost the second set 25-27.

After dropping the second set in vain, the Koreans came out flat in the third. A series of unforced errors led to a disappointing performance. They managed to catch up to 7-10, but after that, they were unable to make any headway against the Americans. The gap continued to widen. At 7-15 in the third set, Coach Cesar took out Kim Dain and Moon Ji-yoon and brought in Yeom Hye-sun and Jeong Ji-yoon late, but the tide had already turned in favour of the USA.

Korea will play their final match of the week on 4 April at 8pm against Thailand. 먹튀검증