Golden Momentum
The chat exploded with messages praising the Daehan Construction players' brilliant plays.
Everyone watching the match was thrilled by Daehan Construction's performance. And yeah, I was right there with them, heart pounding.
"Kim Minseo's visible—and invisible—efforts are really lifting the team's spirits!"
"Exactly! That's why she's such a key player for Daehan Construction."
"Tanya's up for the serve. Yu Seyoung receives it and sends it back, but Yu Eunjin blocks! GS Caltex tosses it up again. Jang Youngseo spikes! Oh! Kim Yuri dives and saves it! High ball!"
GS Caltex's Jang Youngseo quickly set up a spike, but Kim Yuri threw herself into a slide to dig it out.
Impressive.
I couldn't help but admire inwardly at Kim Yuri's super play, sacrificing her body with that slide to keep the ball alive. And it paid off—Shin Yeojeong, the setter, scooped up the high floater and tossed it to Minseo.
"Kim Minseo charges in and spikes! Great attack!"
Minseo's spike pierced the gap perfectly, slamming into the court floor.
"Plays like that mean GS Caltex has to keep marking Kim Minseo closely from here on out. But really, it was Kim Yuri's fantastic defense that made this attack possible."
"Yes, exactly."
"And when Kim Minseo's up front, Tanya's in the back, right? They're using Minseo aggressively, and Tanya fakes quick attacks on her moves, fooling the blocks."
"That shows how much confidence Minseo's regained, doesn't it?"
"Yes, when Kim Minseo's got that fire, Daehan needs to keep the pressure on to ride this momentum."
While the commentators bantered, Kim Yuri prepared her serve from a spot farther back than usual. She charged forward and unleashed a powerful one.
"Kim Yuri's power serve... Ah, it sails out wide. Score's now 12-11."
"Like that quick set from Shin Yeojeong to Minseo earlier, pre-planning your plays is smart, but in the heat of the moment, you lose sight of the court's width."
Kim Yuri's serve fault was a shame, but service errors happen all the time. I'd seen about ten per set in yesterday's footage.
"The tension in Suwon Gymnasium is electric right now, isn't it?"
"Absolutely."
"Both teams are locked in a nail-biter from the early going."
It wasn't just the arena. The chat was a frenzy of cheers for each side.
"Oh! Yu Garam faults on serve, tying it at 12-12!"
"Daehan Construction's riding high right now. Kim Yuri missed that serve, but the opponents matched it with their own error!"
"Yes, and Kim Yuri's setting up again."
As the caster said, Kim Yuri bounced the ball, readying her serve.
"Kim Yuri serves! Lee Minkyeong digs it up. Niel powers through!"
Opting for safety this time, Kim Yuri sent a controlled serve. Lee Minkyeong handled it easily, and Niel leaped from the back, smashing it down hard.
"Yoon Hayoung receives! Tanya!"
Despite the velocity, Yoon Hayoung was positioned perfectly and bumped it up. Tanya surged forward just like Niel, hammering the ball.
"But Jeong Munhee digs it! Niel again!"
Niel jumped high once more, swinging fiercely.
"Diving dig! It's up! Lee Minkyeong stays cool and receives. Now Yu Garam spikes on the long move! But they save it with defense!"
Kim Yuri slid again, body flat to the floor, keeping the rally alive. The ball floated high over the net.
"Lee Minkyeong low receive. Followed by Yu Garam!"
Lee Minkyeong set not to Niel but Yu Garam, who soared for the kill. But Daehan stayed locked in, digging it desperately.
"Switch sides, Daehan Construction!"
Tanya attacked again, but GS Caltex's block sent it rebounding. It looked destined to drop on Daehan's side.
Then Lee Taeyoung dropped to her knees in a flash, saving it.
"Lee Taeyoung! Straight to Kim Minseo, she tips it deep! Point! What focus!"
Lee Taeyoung's save let Minseo arc it cleverly into the gap, scoring.
"It's not just focus—Kim Minseo's veteran savvy shines. She's got tons of tournament experience despite limited pro time."
During the replay as the commentator praised Minseo:
"...See, not a power hit or fake set—just a sly tip mid-rally. She reads the whole court."
"She's matured as a player."
The long rally ended in a reversal, and the chat boiled over again.
Nice—keep it going!
The key now was who hit 16 first for technical timeout. Grabbing it meant easier sailing to 25.
"Kim Yuri serves! Jang Youngseo digs from deep. Lee Minkyeong quick attack! Point! GS Caltex closes in again."
GS Caltex wasn't yielding, hounding Daehan point for point in a sweat-inducing battle.
Finally, 15-15. First to score here would edge the post-timeout momentum.
"Daehan's dealt with injuries to Seo Yuin and Min Juhee, but Kim Minseo's emergence turned it around. At 27, she's no spring chicken."
"True. It takes full team trust to pull this off."
While the commentators chatted about mentality, Tanya readied her serve.
"Tanya serves! Wow! Ace!"
"Serve point!"
"Tanya nails an ace in this crucial moment!"
From 15-all, Tanya's ace gave Daehan 16 and the timeout. Faces lit up—players, coach, everyone. Minseo especially, wiping sweat with a beaming smile.
Whoa...
She looked so stunning I nearly gasped. The chat agreed, flooding with Minseo praise.
Check the coach's grin. Minseo was awakened, unleashing insane potential.
Time to push her further?
Not satisfied, I decided to boost her stats more. I opened the Manager App and pulled up Minseo's sheet. Her blocking had lagged all match—perfect target.
...Max that out, and she's unstoppable.
With a smirk, I selected Blocking.
Would you like to raise Blocking (53)?
10 Vital Energy required to raise Blocking (53) by 1 point.
[Yes / No]
I dumped all my accumulated experience into Blocking, hitting 59. Why stop? One more Vital Energy for 60.
Perfect.
Now Minseo could shine on blocks too.
"Sports psychology says mentality ties closely to performance and outcomes. Managing that state is key."
"Yes. Daehan has vets, but Shin Yeojeong and Kim Minseo's mental fortitude will decide it."
The commentators delved into psych during timeout.
Then Kim Yuri served.
"Kim Yuri serves! High floater, Jeong Munhee digs. Niel!"
As Niel spiked hard, Yu Eunjin and Minseo leaped together for the block.
The stuffed ball drops straight to the floor! 15-17, Daehan leads by two!
My Vital Energy investment paid off instantly. Cameras caught Minseo, dazed by her own block but soon flushing pink, clenching her fists tight.
Minseo clenches her fists! Volleyball arc wrapping up next chapter. Hehe.