The South Korean women's national volleyball team (ranked 27th globally) defeated lower-ranked Hong Kong (ranked 123rd) to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, which offers a berth for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Coached by Cha Sang-hyun, South Korea secured a 3-1 comeback victory against Hong Kong in their third Group C match of the tournament held today at the Tianjin Olympic Center Gymnasium in China.

Having previously recorded a 3-1 victory against Vietnam (32nd) and a 0-3 defeat to Japan (6th), South Korea finished the group stage with 2 wins, 1 loss, and 6 points, confirming second place in the group behind Japan (3 wins, 9 points).

The national team has advanced to the quarterfinals, which are contested by the top two teams from each group along with the two best third-place finishers across all groups.

The quarterfinals will take place tomorrow and the day after, with the national team's schedule and opponent determined based on the results of the final group stage matches of other groups held this afternoon.

The winner of this tournament earns a direct ticket to the LA Olympics, while the top three teams receive qualification for the FIVB Women's World Cup (formerly the World Championships) to be held next year.

South Korea dropped the opening set.

They struggled while falling behind against Hong Kong, which relied heavily on quick middle attacks.

The team lost momentum especially when they gave up three consecutive points from a 13-15 score.

The national team responded by making changes in the second set, benching key spiker Kang So-hui (Korea Expressway Corporation), whose thigh condition was not optimal, and starting setter Kim Da-in (Hyundai Engineering & Construction).

The strategy worked.

South Korea pressured Hong Kong with diverse offensive routes, pulling far ahead from the early stage of the set.

At 9-5, Yook Seo-young (IBK Industrial Bank) crushed Hong Kong's will to chase by scoring consecutive points with a tool-out attack and a service ace.

Having easily claimed the second set, South Korea maintained control in the third set as well.

They took a wide lead from the beginning of the set, capitalizing on Hong Kong's defensive instability.

At 19-8, Lee Dahyun (NEC Red Rockets) recorded two consecutive service aces.

The national team closed out the match in the fourth set.

Leading 12-10, South Korea widened the gap with three consecutive points from an ace by Lee Ye-rim (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), a solo block by Yook Seo-young, and a middle quick attack by Lee Dahyun, maintaining the momentum to win comfortably.

Yook Seo-young led both teams with 22 points, including three blocks.

Lee Dahyun contributed 14 points, including four blocks and three service aces, while NAHYUN (Hyundai Engineering & Construction) added 11 points.

(Photo: Captured from FIVB website, Yonhap News)