CNN Indonesia
Sunday, 17 Mar 2024 11:50 WIB
Yang Hyo Jin (second from left) cries after Hillstate’s win over AI Peppers. (doc. KOVO)
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Senior player Yang Hyo Jin was very emotional when he brought Hillstate to victory over AI Peppers while ensuring a position at the top of the regular phase standings South Korean volleyball league and sure not to meet Red Sparks in the playoff semifinals.
Hyo Jin is a 34 year old senior player who is a middle blocker on the Hillstate team. The player who has made his debut in the Korean volleyball league since 2007 could not hold back his tears after leading Hillstate to a 3-1 (23-25, 25-15, 26-24, 25-19) win over AI Peppers.
In the match which took place on Saturday (16/3), Hyo Jin was one of Hillstate’s top scorers by contributing 23 points. Hyo Jin’s points only lost to Laetitia Moma Bassoko, who is a Hillstate star.
Hyo Jin explained that Hillstate had gone through difficult days to ensure the top position in the regular phase of the Korean volleyball league for the 2023/2024 season.
“We had a tough day. When I was young I never cried. As I get older, I think I become more emotional. I also cried when I lost to Heungkuk Life Insurance [Pink Spiders] last time,” he said as quoted by Sports Seoul.
“I have to concentrate until the end because the match is unpredictable. I also just got sick, so I’m worried I won’t be able to get first place,” said Hyo Jin.
The player who was once part of the South Korean national volleyball team also assessed that AI Peppers’ resistance was so tough that Hillstate had to bring out the best.
“It’s very difficult. After losing the first set, I thought I couldn’t contribute any more. I thought I had to win the third set. I also felt hopeless. AI Peppers is playing very well now.”
“Yasmin [Beddart-Ghani] also a good player. We try to give 100 percent of our ability. “I gave it my all, like it was a final match,” explained Hyo Jin.
By winning the regular season, Hillstate is entitled to an automatic spot in the final round of the playoffs. Hillstate will await the winner between second and third place, the Pink Spiders and Red Sparks, in the match to determine this season’s Korean volleyball league champion.
The Korean volleyball league playoff series will start on March 22. Meanwhile, the final playoff match will be held on March 28.
(nva/nva)
