Seoul – GS Caltex Seoul Kixx closed out their 2024/2025 Korean V-League season with a comfortable 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-17, 25-21) against Hungkuk on the afternoon of March 20, in a match featuring Vietnam’s Tran Thi Bich Thuy but missing South Korea’s legendary Kim Yeon Koung.
With the result inconsequential to the standings, both teams fielded reserve lineups, giving bench players a chance to shine. The win capped a challenging season for GS Caltex, while Hungkuk secured the top spot and a finals berth.
Hungkuk, already locked in as regular-season champions with 81 points, rested Kim Yeon Koung—the greatest female volleyballer in Korean history—and opted for their backups. GS Caltex, similarly, limited Bich Thuy to the first set before rotating their entire roster. The Vietnamese middle blocker, a rising star for the Seoul side, contributed two points in her brief stint, showcasing her potential despite the reduced role. With both teams leaning on reserves, GS Caltex dominated, sealing the sweep with relative ease.
The victory left GS Caltex sixth in the final standings, amassing 39 points over 36 matches. Hungkuk’s loss did little to dent their season, as they finished atop the table and now await their championship final opponent. For GS Caltex, the match served as a low-stakes farewell to a campaign marked by flashes of brilliance but inconsistent results. “It was a chance to test our depth,” a team official noted. “Bich Thuy did well in her time on court.”
March 20 marked Tran Thi Bich Thuy’s final appearance in South Korea this season. The 24-year-old, who joined GS Caltex to gain international experience, will depart for Vietnam tomorrow to compete in the Vietnamese National Women’s Volleyball Championship. Her stint abroad has bolstered her skills, with her two points against Hungkuk adding to a modest but impactful tally. Fans in Vietnam eagerly await her return, expecting her to elevate her domestic club’s performance.
Bich Thuy’s brief Korean chapter ends on a high note, even without facing Kim Yeon Koung. As Hungkuk gears up for the finals and GS Caltex reflects on their sixth-place finish, the Vietnamese star’s journey underscores the growing ties between Vietnam and South Korea’s volleyball scenes. Her next challenge awaits at home, where she aims to carry her overseas lessons onto the national stage.
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