日本、ブルガリアに3-0で快勝し開幕2連勝【バレーボールネーションズリーグ女子】

Japan beats Bulgaria 3-0 to secure second consecutive win at the start of the season [Women's Volleyball Nations League]

May 17, 2024 October 5, 2024

In the first week of the Women's Volleyball Nations League 2024 Tournament, in the Turkey round, the Japanese national team played against Bulgaria on Thursday, May 16th (local time) and won 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-15).

Starting members

Japan

OH: Koga (13), Ishikawa (9)
MB: Watanabe (6), Yamada (5)
OP: Hayashi (14)
S: Iwasaki (2)
L: Kojima

Substitutes: OP Kurogo (1), L Fukudome, MB Miyabe

Bulgaria

OH: Yordanofa (6), Pascofa (4)
MB: Kryfosska (5), Saikofa (3)
OP: Dudhwa
S: Balakofa (1)
L: Todorofa

Substitutes: OP Stojanova (8), OH Bečefa (6), OH Raczkowska, L Paškrefa, S Gunčefa

*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero

※ () indicates score

TOSHIKI'S MVP

OP Kotona Hayashi

14 points (2 on serve, 1 on block), attack effectiveness rate 37%, serve reception success rate 80%

In the previous day's match against Turkey, he had the fewest points out of the three side attackers, but on this day he scored the most points of both teams with 14. In addition to fast right attacks, he showed a variety of attacks, cutting in and launching back attacks from the right. He also contributed greatly to the defense, with two service aces, the most on the team, and 11 digs (spike receptions), the most on the team.

Match commentary

In stark contrast to the fierce battle against Turkey, ranked number one in the world, the previous day, Japan's match against Bulgaria, ranked 21st in the world (at the time of the match), was a safe one, with Japan leading by a large margin throughout.

Bulgaria had the advantage in terms of height, but Japan overwhelmed Bulgaria with their volleyball, attacking with serves and forcing rallies into play.

In the match against Turkey, Koga received a lot of the ball, but in this match the three side attackers were able to distribute the ball well, with each player getting an equal number of hits, and among them, Hayashi's performance as mentioned above stood out.

Japan was also able to put pressure on the outside hitters by avoiding the liberos on the serve, and in terms of blocks, they were more effective than the taller Bulgaria, scoring 5 points and touching 15 times. In particular, the contributions of the two middle players, Watanabe and Yamada, in blocking were great.

Bulgaria's main reasons for the loss were poor serve reception, inability to respond to Japan's blocking and defense, and failure to score effectively, as well as the many attacking mistakes.

However, there are still many young players in their teens, and depending on how they grow in the future, there is a good chance that they will blossom.

Although the numbers show that Japan won easily, there were still some issues to be addressed, such as the decisiveness of the middle blockers, so we will make sure to improve the areas that need improvement.