Every set was a battle to the death. But the focus in the deciding games was different. It was the difference between a third-place team and a last-place team, a traditional powerhouse and a team that has yet to shed its ‘underdog’ image.
GS Caltex swept the Pepper Savings Bank in three sets (25-23, 25-23, 25-15) in the third round of the Dodram V League Women’s Division 2023-2024 season at Pepper Stadium in Gwangju on Friday.
With the victory, GS Caltex improved to 10-6 and 28 points, securing third place in the standings. Pepper Savings Bank, 바카라사이트 on the other hand, suffered its ninth straight loss and remained at six points. Even closing the gap on sixth-placed Roadworks (12 points) is looking difficult.
GS Caltex was led by Kang So-hwi (12 points), who recorded her 200th career service ace (17th all-time) with a service ace at the end of the third set, and Silva (29 points), who was in peak form with four service aces. Pepper Savings Bank rode the momentum of Yasmin and Phillips, as well as Park Jung-ah, but couldn’t get over the final hurdle.
GS Caltex set the tone from the first set. The trio of Yoo Seo-yeon, Kang So-hwi, and Silva extended their lead to 16-12 and 24-20. Pepper Savings Bank’s late surge brought them to within one point at 24-23, but Silva closed out the set in convincing fashion.
Commentator Park Mi-hee said, “Silva hits so well. Even though she has a high attack percentage, if she just uses her running speed to hit, I don’t think she will fail at all today,” she said tongue-in-cheek. She also worked well with setter Kim Ji-won. Her intense power pushed back the blocking.
The beginning of the second set was in Pepper Savings Bank‘s favor. GS Caltex fell behind 4-9. However, Yoo Seo-yeon and Kang So-hwi scored back-to-back points plus an opponent error to pull within three points, and Jung Dae-young’s veteran-like blocking quickly tied the score.
At 18-19, GS Caltex pulled back to 21-19 with back-to-back kills from Silva and a block from Oh Se-yeon. Pepper Savings Bank’s Yasmin and Phillips gave up back-to-back points, but Silva, Han Su-ji, and Kang So-hwi answered. At 24-23, Pepper Savings Bank’s Park Eun-seo’s serve was blocked this time, giving GS Caltex the second set.
In the third set, GS Caltex widened the gap to 12-8 and 16-11 with solid defensive organization and the offensive power of Silva and Kang So-hwi. Silva celebrated the victory with a series of powerful service aces.