Hyundai Construction: “There’s No Foe Worthy of its Steel”

Hyundai Construction is the strongest powerhouse in women’s volleyball and has won the Super League in four consecutive contests. Naturally, it has been a target of opposing teams for a long time. But it is expected to be a long shot to break down its dominance this season, too.

Hyundai Construction beat KT&G, 3-0, to triumph three consecutive times at the Seoul Tour (first tour) of V Tour 2004, held at Jamsil student gymnasium on December 23.

If Hyundai Construction, which has never allowed a single set in three games since the tour opened, wins its last match against Hungkuk Life Insurance (2 wins) on December 24, it will clinch its victory in the Seoul Tour.

“The contenders are so weak that we didn’t need to consider any special strategy,” said Yoo Hwa-suk, the head coach of Hyundai Construction, suggesting that KT&G could not avoid defeat.

KT&G could not field its principal attacker Choi Gwang-hee, who is said to be half the team’s power, due to an injury at the World Cup last month, and left Hong Mi-sun out as well due to a leg injury in a previous match.

After Hyundai Construction won the first set 25-18 over KT&G, which had lost its fighting spirit, it used reserve players in the second set for an easy 25-8, 25-21 win. KT&G’s score of eight in the second set is the lowest score in a set in this tour.

At the next game, Korea Highway Corporation, which has succeeded in reorganizing with new players, led by left-hander Lim Yoo-jin’s performance, easily trounced the feeble team LG-Caltex, 3-0.

Korea Highway Corporation had trouble blocking opponent lefty Lee Jung-ok at the start of the first set, but Lim Yoo-jin and Park Mi-kyung launched successful consecutive attacks to win a set 25-22. After that the team won completely, taking advantage of the opponent’s miss.

Reporter Kim Sang-ho hyangsan@donga.com

Result of Women’s section on Tuesday

Hyundai Construction 3-0 KT&G

(3 wins) (2 loses)

Korea Highway Corporation 3-0 LG-Caltex

(2 wins 1 loses) (3 loses)