Hillstate move just three points behind Pink Spiders in race for V League title

Volleyball

Published: 02 Mar. 2023, 16:21 Updated: 02 Mar. 2023, 17:33

Hillstate move just three points behind Pink Spiders in race for V League title

Yang Hyo-jin of Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate, center, attacks during a V League game against the GS Caltex Seoul KIXX at Jangchung Arena in Jung District, central Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Suwon Hyundai Engineering & Construction Hillstate reignited the V League title race as they thrashed the GS Caltex Seoul KIXX 3-0 at Jangchung Arena in Jung District, central Seoul on Wednesday.

Hillstate closed the gap with league leaders Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders to three points. They now have 67 points on the table, with one more game played than the league leaders as of press time.

The Suwon side cut their five game losing-streak last Saturday after beating the Hwaseong IBK Altos 3-2. Wednesday’s game was to determine whether they would keep or lose that momentum.

Hillstate looked like the team that had ridden a 15 game winning-streak in the early days of the season against the KIXX. The Suwon team were off to a smooth start, grabbing the first set 25-16 with ease.

They displayed cohesive teamwork in the second set and took the score to 23-22. Hillstate’s Ivonne Montano then scored a point to make it 24 for her side, followed by Hwang Min-kyoung’s block to give the team a point to mark their win in the set 25-22.

The third set was more intense than the previous two as the KIXX tried to stay alive in the game. The lead constantly changed hands, but Hillstate found that breakthrough at 22-22.

Montano scored three consecutive points and ended the game at 25-22, ultimately securing Hillstate's perfect 3-0 victory.

The Colombian opposite hitter, who scored the most points in the game with 21, was nominated as the MVP of Wednesday’s game.

“I’m feeling very good because we were in a difficult moment when I come here, but now I think we are improved,” Montano said during a post-match interview.

This is the first time Hillstate have recorded a 3-0 victory since Feb. 2. That 3-0 win was also against the Seoul side.

Hillstate were the most successful team in the league this season until they ceded the top spot to their biggest competitor the Pink Spiders on Feb. 15.

With a much-needed three points on Wednesday, however, there is still a chance for Hillstate to snatch the top position before their last league game on March 19.

Four league games are left for the Suwon side. Their last game, interestingly, is against the Pink Spiders at Samsan World Gymnasium in Incheon.

With good momentum in hand, Hillstate are facing the last-place Gwangju AI Peppers at Suwon Gymnasium in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Sunday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]