Dankook University’s women’s volleyball team (coach Sang-ok Jeong) won the ‘2021 KUSF (Korea University Sport Federation) U-League competition.’ Dankook became the winning team for two consecutive years after taking the first winning trophy home at last year’s inaugural games. The KUSF U-League women’s volleyball competition was hosted by KUSF and held by the Korea University Volleyball Federation (KUVF) with home and away rounds between Dankook University, Mokpo Science University, Woosuk University, and Honam University.
Prior to the final match at Dankook University’s sports stadium on June 5th, Dankook had already secured the winning position with a track record of 4 wins and 1 loss. Dankook’s team was under the weather and lost the last game to Woosuk University due to player injuries but still brought home victory with a final record of 4 wins and 2 losses and a winning score of 13 points. The runner up was Mokpo Science University with 4 wins, 2 losses, and a winning score of 12 points, followed by third place Woosuk University with 4 wins, 2 losses, and a winning score of 11 points. The award ceremony will be held in mid-September when the men’s university league ends.
Dankook was in a tough position as the team’s starters suffered from injuries before the tournament began but performed well thanks to strong teamwork. Libero Jeong-won Shin (senior, Department of Recreation and Leisure Sports) led the team’s flawless defense while team captain and center position Sohyeon Lee (senior, Department of Recreation and Leisure Sports) joined Juyoung Cheon (freshman, Department of Recreation and Leisure Sports) in carrying out the offense strategy. With Danyoung Kim (junior, Department of Recreation and Leisure Sports) on the right, Jiwoo Choi (sophomore, Department of Recreation and Leisure Sports) on the left, and Sowon Shin (junior, Department of Recreation and Leisure Sports) in the middle, the players built what is known as one of the most powerful triangle formations in women’s college volleyball to score points through various combinations of play and showed off what it takes to be the defending champions.
“I want to thank our players who always do their best, as well as the professors of the College of Sports Science who spare no effort in supporting the team,” said coach Jeong who led the team to its second consecutive victory, and added that “[we] will build on this win and work hard to create an even stronger team.”
Meanwhile, the Dankook women’s volleyball team was also given outstanding team and player awards by the Korean Volleyball Association for the 2020 season. DKU was named “Outstanding Team” for winning multiple winner’s cups last year while coach Sang-ok Jeong was named “Outstanding Leader.” In addition, Danyoung Kim, who was ranked among the top 5 players in offense, blocking, receiving, and serves, took home the “Outstanding Player” award. The Dankook women’s volleyball team is in training to prepare for the Korean University Volleyball Goseong Tournament which opens on July 28th in Goseong, South Gyeongsang province.