After snapping a long 30-match losing streak in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Korea’s women’s volleyball team will look to get back on track.
The Fernando Morales-led South Korea Women’s National Volleyball Team (ranked 37th in the FIVB) will take on Bulgaria (ranked 21st) at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, USA, on Tuesday at 1:00 a.m. (ET) in the first match of the second week of the 2024 VNL.
Previously, Korea defeated Thailand 3-1 (25-19 23-25 25-16 25-18) in straight sets in the fourth match of the first week of the 메이저 토토사이트 VNL in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 20.
It was South Korea’s first win on the VNL stage since June 15, 2021, against Canada, nearly three years and 31 matches later.
After reaching fourth place at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the women’s volleyball team lost its centerpiece following the retirement of Kim Yeon-kyung and suffered a staggering 30 consecutive losses in the VNL, which led to a decline in international competitiveness.
However, the team has finally broken out of the long losing streak and now has a chance to get back on track.
Bulgaria, their first opponent in Week 2 of the VNL, is ranked higher than Korea in the FIVB rankings, but they have yet to pick up a point in the tournament and sit in last place with four straight losses. With the confidence boosted by the turnaround in fortunes, Korea will be a tough opponent to beat.
Bulgaria, in particular, is a must-win opponent in Week 2.
After Bulgaria, Korea will face Poland (June 31), Turkuye (June 2), and Canada (June 3).
Poland, led by Stefano Labarini, who coached South Korea at the Tokyo Olympics, is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and tops the VNL this year. Turkuye is the current No. 1 team in the world. Canada, ranked 10th in the world, is objectively a tougher opponent for the national team to beat, having gone 3-1-1 in Week 1 and sitting in fourth place.
Looking for back-to-back wins and a second victory in the tournament, it will be interesting to see if the women’s volleyball team can once again build momentum at the expense of Bulgaria.