Rio 2016: Korea defeats Japan 3-1 in women's volleyball
/ Yonhap
South Korea defeated Japan in women's volleyball at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics Saturday to avenge a loss at the previous Summer Games.
Outside hitter Kim Yeon-koung scored a game-high 30 points, as South Korea prevailed 3-1 (19-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-21) in the first Group A match at Maracanazinho. This was South Korea's third victory over Japan in 10 all-time meetings at the Olympics.
At London 2012, Japan defeated South Korea in the bronze medal match 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-21). South Korea is chasing its first volleyball medal since the 1976 Montreal Games.
South Korea has also been paired with Brazil, Russia, Argentina and Cameroon. The top-four teams from each of the two groups will reach the quarters.
South Korea never led in the opening set, with Saori Kimura, Miyu Nagaoka and Haruyo Shimamura leading the attack.
The South Koreans quickly turned the tide in the second set. With the score tied at 7-7, Yang Hyo-jin and Kim Yeon-koung scored consecutive points. Then at 11-9, South Korea reeled off seven unanswered points before closing out the set 25-15.
With South Korea clinging to a 15-14 lead in the third set, Lee Jae-yeong, the only teenager on the team at 19, scored consecutive points to provide more breathing room.
Kim then took care of business the rest of the third set, as South Korea won 25-17.
Yang, who ended with 21 points, stepped up on defense in the fourth set. South Korea opened up a 12-7 lead and cruised to the victory.
South Korea will next face Russia on Monday.
Kim said she'd been waiting for a chance to avenge the loss from four years ago.
"I shed tears then, and I am so happy to be able to smile today," she said. "London was really disappointing. I desperately wanted to win a medal there. And I've been preparing really hard for this year's Olympics. I'd love to hang a medal around my neck."
She said Russia is "a really strong team," but added, "This is a war, and we're going to face them head-on.” (Yonhap)