One of the Happiest Moments in Japan Volleyball History !!! The matchup between the 2nd and 7th placer of the preliminary round, Japan and Slovenia, respectively. It will be 2nd time these two teams will enter the quarter-finals since the beginning of the Nations League in 2018. Both teams will face each other for the first time since they were not in the same pool in the preliminary round.
The Japanese will demonstrate their organized volleyball from their offense to defense. They started strong in the preliminary round, going 10-0 in the standings, winning their historic battle against Brazil, showing how much they have improved since last year. Contrarily, Slovenia finished their VNL journey last year in 10th place. This year they are back in the quarter-finals and are looking to go beyond for a podium finish. They showed great comeback and improvement in just a year.
STARTING SIX
Team Japan: Nishida (OP), Onodera (MB), Yamauchi (MB), Sekita (S), Ran (OH), Ishikawa (OH) and Yamamoto (L)
Team Slovenia: Pajenk (MB), Kozamernik (MB), Ropret (S), Urnaut (OH), Čebulj (OH), Možič (OH) and Kovačič (L)
Ran’s service run started early in the 2nd set, gaining a breakpoint for his team with a 4-1 lead. Možič’s attack stopped the run at 4-2. A few errors from Slovenia widened the gap to 7-3 after Urnaut’s net touch. Ishikawa gets his 2nd block in the match at 9-4 and the 3rd block at 13-8.
Japan was playing their volleyball with patience and determination, and they frustrated Slovenia with their defense. Slovenia inserted Štern and Planinšič for a change of pace in the game. But two consecutive attacks from Ishikawa and Nishida widened the lead to 17-10. Again, Pajenk stopped the bleeding with his quick attack for 17-11. Japan still had no solution for Slovenia’s middle hitters.
Japan gave away three consecutive points to Slovenia from their errors, and the gap narrowed to 19-16. Nishida stopped the momentum they were giving to Slovenia for 20-16. Then they maintained the rhythm they gained back. Yamauchi’s first block point in the match gave them the set point at 24-18, then Ran from the pipe to end the set at 25-18.
Ishikawa gave his team their first break point in the 3rd set at 5-3 after blocking Čebulj. Slovenia’s captain, Urnaut, was doing everything for his team. He took back two consecutive attack points to close the gap at 8-9. After that, it was bad news for Slovenia as he rotates in the back. Nishida took back another point and gave his team the 2-point lead. Japan maintained that gap until Ishikawa’s rampage. He scored three consecutive points via his attacks and widened the gap to 17-14. They continued to side out until Japan got to set point at 24-21 after Miyaura’s from the left. Ishikawa was unable to finish the match with his serve, but Sekita made sure to let Ishikawa redeem himself. What would be a more fitting way to end the match than let your highest scorer attack from the pipe? And so, Ishikawa’s pipe attack ends the match at 25-22.
Congratulations, Team Japan! They are now qualified for the semi-finals for the first time since their entry at the VNL, making history for their country. The match MVP goes to Yuki Ishikawa, with a record-breaking 27 points (22 attacks, 4 blocks, and 1 service ace) in only three sets.
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