Heungkuk Life Insurance faced defeat again just as it was on the brink of victory. Following a loss in the third match, the fourth match also ended in a full-set defeat, doubling the shock. Kim Yeon-koung's final retirement match will ultimately move to the fifth match.
Heungkuk Life Insurance, led by head coach Marcello Abondanza, suffered a full-set defeat to Jeonggwanjang in the fourth match of the Dodram 2024~2025 season V-League women's championship series (best of five), held on the 6th at Daejeon Chungmu Gymnasium, with a set score of 2-3 (20-25, 26-24, 34-36, 25-22, 12-15).
Kim Yeon-koung scored 32 points, and Tuwtku added 30 points, but they could not quell Jeonggwanjang's formidable resilience.
Earlier, after being satisfied with runner-up finishes against Korea Expressway Corporation and Hyundai E&C in the championship for two consecutive seasons, Abondanza's third title challenge is also arduous. In particular, the nightmare of missing out on the championship arises from having suffered a reverse sweep after winning two consecutive matches against Korea Expressway Corporation, only to lose three in a row.
After the match, Abondanza noted, "It seemed we had a chance to win in the fifth set, but we ended up losing. In the championship match, small decisions can create significant differences. Our setter was a bit lacking and needs to become stronger. I hope these aspects improve in the next match."
It was a situation that could evoke memories of a nightmare from two years ago. Abondanza said, "Honestly, I don't want to talk about two years ago. The team has changed a lot, and there is nothing that is the same as two years ago," and added, "I hope our team can showcase its character in the next match."
The fifth match will be held after a day off on the 8th at 7 p.m. at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium. It is intriguing whether Heungkuk Life Insurance will lift the championship trophy in Kim Yeon-koung's final retirement match.
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