Kim Hak-min of Korea attacks against Venezuela’s block
Both teams are 1-3 in the competition following the match.
Choi Hong-Suk powered Korea to the victory with a match-high 18 points. Shin Yung-Suk contributed 10 points.
Kervin Pinerua had 12 points for Venezuela in the loss. Fernando Gonzalez added 10 points.
Korea came out energized and played at a high level throughout the match. Korea passed well and excelled on both attacking and blocking.
Venezuela put up a fight in the first set, but could not overcome unforced errors and that consistency of their opponents.
A block by Luis Arias gave Venezuela a 5-3 lead in the first set. A spike by Arias made it 7-5 for Venezuela. The South Americans led 8-5 at the first TTO. Pinerua flew in for a spike and it was 10-6 for Venezuela. Another spike by Pinerua took it to 15-12. Shin‘s spike off an option play drew Korea within one at 15-14. A reception error put Venezuela up 16-14 at the second TTO. Korea went ahead 17-16 on a spike and Venezuela called a timeout. Kim Hak-Min‘s spike sailed long and Venezuela was on top 21-19. Arias sent a spike into the net and the score was level at 22-22. Pineura put Venezuela back in front 23-22 with a powerful spike. An Arias spike gave Venezuela set point at 24-23. With the score tied 24-24 Han Sun-Soo fired a service ace and Korea had set point. Pinerua tied it 25-25 with a spike. A block by Choi gave Korea the set at 27-25. Choi had eight points in the set.
A spike by Choi put Korea in front 6-5 in the second set. Choi crushed another spike and Korea led 8-7 at the first TTO. A service ace by Gonzalez moved Venezuela ahead 9-8. With Korea leading 14-11, Venezuela took a timeout. Kim‘s block of Pinerua spike made it 16-11 at the second TTO. Kim Yo-Han‘s spike gave Korea a four-point lead at 20-16. Deivis Yustiz served into the net and Korea had set point at 24-21. Korea claimed the set 25-22 on Shin’s spike.
Pinerua‘s spike moved Venezuela out to a 5-4 lead in the third set. Choi spiked again and Korea was up 7-6. Venezuela sent a spike wide and Korea led 8-6 at the first TTO. Kim Yo-Han‘s spike made it 13-8 for Korea. Jose Carrasco served into the net and Korea was ahead by six points at 15-9. Gonzalez sent a serve long and Korea took a 16-10 lead into the second TTO. A service ace by Yun Bong-Woo boosted Korea’s lead to eight at 19-11 and Venezuela took a timeout. Korea closed out the victory 25-15 on a spike by Kim Yo-Han.
Korea face China on Thursday, while Venezuela meet Iran.
The final match on Wednesday will see Japan play China.
