Photos_Yoo Bin Lee (left), Kim Junho

“We will show good form in the remaining matches.”

Hongik University tasted victory for the first time in a long time with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-19) set win over Kyung Hee University in a qualifying match for the 2023 KUSF University Volleyball U-League at Kyung Hee University Sunseung Hall in Yongin, South Korea.

After back-to-back losses to Chosun University and Inha University, Hongik University needed to turn things around. The team faced Kyung Hee University, which was on a two-game winning streak, but managed to end the losing streak with a triple threat. Led by junior setter Lee Yoo-bin (III, 188 cm), the team’s main attacker Kim Jun-ho (II, OP, 198 cm) scored 20 points to lead the team to victory.

“We had a bad team atmosphere because we kept losing, so we tried a lot to change it. Thanks to this win, we can change the atmosphere, and it’s great,” said Lee, while Kim Jun-ho added, “We were determined to catch Kyung Hee University, so we prepared hard. I’m glad we were able to win because we prepared well.”

After taking the first and second sets, Hongik University was in control until the middle of the third set. However, they suddenly lost their momentum and were unable to capitalize on it, pushing the match to the fourth set.

Before the fourth set, Lee Yoo-bin said, “I promised myself to find a good mood as much as possible because the mood in the third set was bad,” while Kim Jun-ho said, “Even though we lost the third set, we were winning. It was good that we went in without any urgency and took it easy,” he said.

The team did not field its best lineup of the season as originally planned. Senior Jaehong Noh (OH, 196 cm) and junior Hongwoong Sun (OH, 198 cm) have been sidelined with injuries.

As the starting setter and main attacker, the pressure was on. “All of a sudden, we had two outside hitters, and it made my head hurt. However, I was able to get better because my coach kept making plays for me.”

Kim Jun-ho also said, “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel pressure. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel pressure, but it makes me feel more responsible because it’s my role to solve difficult balls and I have to do a good job.”

Hongik University will have a chance to rebound. They are determined to do better in the remaining league matches and the upcoming regional tournament. Both players said, “I think we are a growing team because we are a team of underclassmen. I think we can achieve better results if we win one game at a time as our skills improve. We will do well in the remaining league matches and the regional tournament 먹튀검증.”