In the Fukuoka round of the third week of the Volleyball Nations League 2024 Women's Tournament, the Japanese national team played against the United States on Sunday, June 16th (local time) and won 0-3 (15-25, 18-25, 24-26).
Starting members
Japan
OH: Koga (5), Ishikawa (13)
MB: Yamada (4), Araki (4)
OP: Hayashi (10)
S: Iwasaki (1)
L: Kojima, Fukudome
Substitutes: OP Wada (11), S Seki (2), MB Miyabe (2), MB Watanabe, OH Tanaka, OH Inoue
America
OH: Skinner (13), Larson (12)
MB: Hall (11), Washington (6)
OP: Druze (13)
S: Carlini (3)
L: Orantes
Substitutes: S Hancock (2), OP Thompson (2), OH Cook (2).
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
※ () indicates score
TOSHIKI'S MVP
MB Hall
11 points (2 blocks), attack efficiency 641 TP 3T
Despite being a middle blocker, she scored double digits in three sets. Her powerful quickness and persistent blocks put a lot of pressure on Japan. She also won the goggle middle match against Araki by a landslide.
Match commentary
In an article after the match against Serbia, I wrote that the match against the United States would be "a test of Japan's true ability," and that match showed just how strong Japan really was.
Throughout the match, the U.S. targeted their serves at the front outside hitters, denying Japan's OH Koga and OH Ishikawa any opportunity to attack from the left.
In addition to this, they had thorough lead blocks, with more than two blockers on almost every Japanese attack, and even if a block was avoided, the ball was picked up by the libero, making it extremely difficult for Japan to score.
In particular, OH Koga's attack effectiveness rate of 0% was the second worst in the tournament after the match against Poland.
On the other hand, the United States was able to execute a variety of attacks well, and even when their receptions were disrupted, OP Druse and others were able to convert them into points.
In the third set, OP Wada's right-side spike was successful, and the success rate of other attackers improved accordingly, and the serve was also fast, which allowed them to compete against the United States. By impressing with attacks from the right, it becomes easier to break up the opponent's blocks.
However, the American serve and block were still solid, and they were unable to take the set.
But I was really impressed by the moment he went from 20-24 to 24-24 at the end of the third set. He had a great spirit. If he had been able to win that set, the outcome might have been different.
As a result, Japan finished in 5th place and advanced through the qualifying round, and will face China in the quarterfinals of the final round. Although they were the opponents they beat in the qualifying round, they are still strong, so it is unclear whether the next result will be the same.
However, if they can win a medal at the VNL, I'm sure it will be a boost for them on the way to the Paris Olympics, so I hope they will learn from their mistakes in this match and do their best.
For detailed match stats,Here
Highlight Video
Standings (as of June 16th)
VNL Rankings
1. Brazil 12 wins 34 points ★
2. Italy 10 wins 31 points ★
3. Poland 10 wins 30 points ★
4. China 9 wins 26 points ★
5. Japan 8 wins 25 points ★
6. Türkiye 8 wins 25 points ★
7. USA 7 wins 22 points ★
8. Netherlands 7 wins 21 points
9. Canada 7 wins 20 points
10. Dominican Republic 3 wins 10 points
11. Serbia 3 wins 9 points
12. Germany 3 wins 9 points
13. Thailand 3 wins 7 points ★
14. France 2 wins 8 points
15. South Korea 2 wins 6 points
16. Bulgaria 2 wins 5 points
*The top 7 teams and the host country (Thailand) will advance to the final round (June 20-23)
★…Final round advancement confirmed
World Rankings
1. Brazil 399.59 ☆
2. Italy 375.45 ★
3. Türkiye 374.27 ☆
4. Poland 361.80 ☆
5. America 358.11 ☆
6. China 353.65 ★
7. Japan 322.62 ★
8. Netherlands 304.48 ★
9. Serbia 287.93 ☆
10. Canada 284.76
11. Dominican Republic 254.58 ☆
12. Germany 218.88
19 France 166.98 ☆
20 Kenya 162.42 ★ (Top in Africa)
*At the end of the VNL qualifying round, the top three countries, excluding the top Asian team, the top African team, and the team that has already qualified for the Paris Olympics, will qualify for the Paris Olympics.
☆…Host country and countries that have qualified through Olympic qualifiers
★…Qualification for the Paris Olympics confirmed after the VNL qualifying round
Next race information
vs china
June 20th (Thursday) 14:00~ (Japan time)
Television broadcast
BS-TBS (broadcast time TBA)
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Online broadcast (LIVE)
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Photo: FIVB
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