Jiseok Jung of Korea (18) returns the ball to China at a World League Volleyball match at the Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon
Saskatoon, Canada, June 26, 2016 - China adjusted after losing the first set to beat Korea 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23) in Saskatoon, Canada, on Sunday.
Qingyao Dai led China with 16 points; and Jae-Duck Seo had the same tally for the Korean side.
Quality defense for both sides set the tone for the match. Great blocking and nice digs kept play alive for both sides. Points flew back and forth for most of the 1st set, with the Koreans pulling away late. The Korean attack proved too much, making the Chinese move their feet and open up the seams. Korea won in style by finishing the first set on an ace 25-18.
Neither team wanted to pull ahead in the second set with points still going back and forth. Things stayed tied for most of the set, with the biggest gap being 2 points. China’s blocking and defense drastically improved as the set progressed to keep it close all the way through. Ultimately, China handled Korea’s attacks on the block and with their digs late to win set 2 25-23.
China came out with quality blocking early to give them the lead much to the their fans’ delight. With their tight defense improving as the match went on, China opened up an eight-point lead midway through the set. Korea was unable to get their attacks off or around the Chinese defense with any consistency. After they had a firm grip on the momentum, China never looked back winning the 3rd set 25-17.
Korea tightened up their defense with a number of quality blocks early on in the 4th set. Looking as though they wanted to see a 5th set, the Korean lead was as big as five points. China stuck to their process though, and their blocking and hitting clawed them back to take the lead 19-17. Down the stretch, China continued to block and make digs to ultimately take the win, setting off a burst of cheers from the Chinese crowd in attendance.