The South Korean women's volleyball team secured a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Games, marking their first appearance in the final four since the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. They had failed to win a medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
On September 20, at the Park Arena Komaki in Aichi, Japan, South Korea defeated Kazakhstan (ranked 42nd) with a set score of 3-0 (26-24, 27-25, 25-21) in the quarterfinals.
Under the guidance of head coach Cha Sang-hyun, the South Korean team advanced to the quarterfinals as the top seed in Group D. The starting lineup included setter Kim Da-in, outside hitters Kang So-hwi and Yuk Seo-young, middle blockers Jeong Ho-young and Lee Da-hyun, opposite spiker Na Hyun-soo, and libero Han Da-hye.
Despite struggling with her form and scoring only six points, Kang So-hwi was supported by Yuk Seo-young, who contributed 20 points, including two service aces, leading the team to victory. Jeong Ho-young added 10 points, Lee Da-hyun scored 9, and Park Eun-seo contributed 8 points.
Both the first and second sets were hard-fought, with South Korea clinching victories in deuce situations. In the first set, the teams were tied at 24-24 before Kang So-hwi's successful attack gave South Korea a 26-24 win.
In the second set, South Korea fell behind 6-12 early on. However, they narrowed the gap with side attacks from Park Eun-seo and Yuk Seo-young, as well as central attacks from Jeong Ho-young and Lee Da-hyun. They took the lead at 19-18 with a point from Jeong Ho-young. In a tense 25-25 deuce, Yuk Seo-young's service ace and a Kazakhstan attack error allowed South Korea to win 27-25.
With momentum from the first two sets, South Korea took control in the third set. Although Kazakhstan tied the score at 18-18, Yuk Seo-young helped extend the lead again. Park Eun-seo's final point secured a 25-21 victory.
This victory propels South Korea into the semifinals for the first time in eight years. They had previously failed to secure a medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
The South Korean women's volleyball team will face the winner of the Japan-Taiwan match in the semifinals on September 21. If Japan wins, a highly anticipated Korea-Japan matchup will take place in the semifinals.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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