Japan took the lead early in the game. In the first set, Japan won 25-20 with stable receiving and minimal errors. At 13-19 in the first set, Korea scored 4 points in a row thanks to Son Seo-yeon’s open slam to reach 17-19, but Jang Su-in’s attack was blocked and they lost the set.
Korea’s counterattack began in the second set. With the score tied at 12-12, Seo-yeon Son changed the flow of the game by scoring three consecutive points with an open attack. In the end, Korea won 25-19, tying the set score at 1-1.
Korea was in crisis again, losing the third set 15-25. However, a true comeback drama unfolded in the fourth set. With the score down 20-21, Jang Su-in scored one after another to take the set.
The two players’ performance continued in the final 5 sets. Jang Su-in increased the score to 10-7 with a time-lapse attack, and Son Seo-yeon made it 12-7 with a diagonal attack. In the end, setter Lee Seo-in (Gyeonghae Girls’ Middle School) succeeded in blocking at the 14-8 match point, completing the final puzzle of the double electrode.
By advancing to the semifinals, Korea secured the right to participate in the U-17 World Championships to be held in Santiago, Chile next year. In the finals, they will face Taiwan, which defeated China 3-1 and caused a “court rebellion,” for the championship.