Why did Heungkuk Life coach Marcello Abondanza suddenly open the interview room door before the winning coach interview after leading a dramatic comeback victory in the championship match?
Heungkuk Life won 3-2 (23-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-12, 15-12) against Jeonggwanjang in the second match of the Dodram 2024-2025 V League women's championship (best of five) held at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium on the 2nd.
Heungkuk Life, which ranked first in the regular season, is now one win away from its fifth overall championship, having achieved two consecutive wins in the series, after six seasons since the 2018-2019 season.
Abondanza, who took three consecutive sets after being down 0-2 in set score, remarked after the match, "It was expected. Each match in the championship is a new page. The opponent considered today very important, so I expected it to be difficult." He added, "We lost the first and second sets due to poor receiving, but today we showed not just great volleyball but also our team's very good characteristics. Turning from 0-2 to 3-2 is the best sign you can see in a championship match."
Unlike usual, Coach Abondanza entered the interview room and proceeded with the interview while keeping the door wide open. Repeatedly fanning himself, Coach Abondanza said, "I quickly showered right after the match because I had to head down to Daejeon immediately. I washed up first so I wouldn't smell. That's why it's even hotter here," and he laughed.
However, the real reason for the heat was the extraordinary performance of the fifth set ace Kim Yeon-koung. Coach Abondanza said, "It would have been difficult to win today if Kim Yeon-koung hadn't played. It would have been hard to win today's match without Kim Yeon-koung," reiterating, "She declared her retirement, but she showed how great of a player she is. She carried the team and went all the way. Two-to-Koo also did well today," he praised.
Coach Abondanza strongly appealed to the referees regarding the over-the-net call on setter Lee Go-eun during the last point of the first set. He expressed, "There’s something I don’t understand. The opposing middle blocker touched our setter's hand, but it was called as our fault. It will be possible to confirm through various videos after the match, but it’s an incomprehensible part. It was a call that could change the outcome of the championship."
Heungkuk Life will move to Daejeon Chungmu Gymnasium, Jeonggwanjang's home court, on the 4th to challenge for the championship. Coach Abondanza said, "Of course, I want to secure it as soon as possible, but I believe we absolutely shouldn't rush or be hasty. Anything can happen in the championship. Still, starting with 2-0 is a good start," he conveyed.
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