Korea overcame a 1-2 deficit to outduel Mexico in five sets
Lima, Peru, August 7, 2015 – In a match of ups and downs Korea claimed a five-set 3-2 (17-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13) victory over Mexico in Pool A at the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship on Friday at Eduardo Dibos Coliseum of Lima.
Yoo Seoyeun led three Korean players with double digits in the charts with 19 points followed by A Heyjin and Lee Seonjeong with 15 and 11, respectively. Karina Flores ended with 16 for Mexico with Kathya Garcia and Gabriela Perez charting 14 and 13 in the losing effort.
Mexico won the battle at the net 13-12 but Korea held the advantage in aces 14-9 with Heyjin scoring four winners.
Mexico built advantages of 8-6 and 16-10 with strong serves and behind the attack provided by Garcia and Flores. The Mexicans needed 22 minutes to close the first set 25-17 with the spike by middle blocker Alondra Amaro.
Korea had the edge 8-7 and the Asian team improved to 16-9 relying on the offensive exploits of Seoyeon Yoo, including two aces. Korea lost momentum allowing Mexico to narrow the distance at 18-14 but finally won the second set with the spike of Yoo 25-19.
The third set was a seesaw affair with Mexico emerging on top 16-14 after trailing 7-8. The Latin American side took it 25-20 with the block by Flores against Hyejin.
Korea took the lead 8-5 in the fourth set and improved to 16-8 with a big rally behind the serves of Woo Sumin. Mexico shortened the distance to 18-14 but Korea did not relinquish the lead and forced the tie-breaker with an ace by Hyejin.
In the fifth set, teams traded sides with Korea in front 8-6. Mexico tied at 8-all. At 13-13, Hyejin scored with her spike and her team won via an opponent error at the net.