With the Japanese women’s V.League now reaching the halfway point in the season, it is clear that the Hisamitsu Springs are the team to beat. The Springs are perfect at 11-0, with only one match going five sets. Their magic number for the Final 6 is 3 (any combination of Springs wins and NEC losses). The Springs were balanced before, but with the addition of Foluke Akinradewo, the Springs appear almost unstoppable.
JT Marvelous is now comfortably in second, but face the Springs on December 2nd. If JT wins, they still have a chance at the regular season title, but a loss would give the Springs a 4 win advantage and the season series (before the final match is played). The Marvelous did take Hisamitsu to five sets in the first match, so there is hope. JT’s addition of Brankica Mihaljovic, has pushed them up the standings from last year.
Toray Arrows started off the season badly with 4 straight losses, and looked like a very young team. However with Mari Horikawa producing points and Ai Kurogo serving aces, the Arrows have surprised by reaching 3rd place with six wins in seven matches. In a rebuilding year for the Arrows, the construction seems to have picked up quicker than expected.
Toyota Auto Body Queenseis started out with four wins in five matches, but since week six, they had five straight losses until today’s win over NEC. Neriman Ozsoy has been the offense and Erika Araki, the defense. The Queenseis may be ready to take 3rd place, but they are a ways behind JT and Hisamitsu on the court.
Denso Airybees also got off to a slow start with one win in the first five matches. However with four wins in six matches (after today’s loss to JT), they have climbed from 7th to 5th (even reached 3rd). Yurie Nabeya is showing why she is on the national team with serving and spiking, let alone defense. She could use a little bit more help on offense.
Ageo Medics have had an issue since being promoted. The offense is too dependent on Cuban Kenia Carcaces. She has 251 kills in 41 sets (6.12 kills a set). Her team has 570 kills total in 41 sets (13.90 kills a set). Carcaces is 44% of the offense. If she gets any additional help, Ageo would be better. 6th may be as high as they can get.
NEC Red Rockets have been looking for whats missing from last year. The Red Rockets did not hire a foreigner opposite this season and that is the problem. NEC needed Emiliya Nikolova to cover up their offensive issues. Sarina Koga is probably not as good as the Japanese press thinks she is. Also, the middles are second worst at blocking in the league only 70 blocks total. The defending champs may not make the Final 6 at this point.
Hitachi Rivale are also missing a foreigner this season. In this case though, it is a player who is playing overseas, Mami Uchiseto who is playing in Italy’s A2 Golem Hermaea Olbia. Rivale have actually gotten good work from Megumi Kurihara this season and Curtsy Jackson is giving what she can, but there is no blocking with only 66 blocks, worst in the league. Tied for second fewest aces and second worst serve receive. Libero Arisa Sato actually leads the league in serve receive, so teams have learned not to serve her and take advantage from that.
Statistical Category Leaders
Scoring (Kills+Blocks+Aces)
Neriman Ozsoy (Toyota Auto Body) 299 points
Kenia Carcaces (Ageo) 278 points
Brankica Mihaljovic 271 points
Kill Percentage
Foluke Akinradewo (Hisamitsu) 62.8%
Cursty Jackson (Hitachi) 53.1%
Nana Iwasaka (Hisamitsu) 49.5%
Blocks per Set
Foluke Akinradewo (Hisamitsu) 0.83
Mai Okumura (JT) 0.73
Erika Araki (Toyota Auto Body) 0.68
Service Efficiency
Yurie Nabeya (Denso) 15.7
Foluke Akinradewo (Hisamitsu) 15.5
Kadie Rolfzen (Toray) 14.9
Results for Matchday 11, November 26, 2017
Toyota Auto Body Queenseis 3-2 NEC Red Rockets (18-25, 25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8)
Toray Arrows 3-0 Ageo Medics (25-17, 25-22, 25-22)
JT Marvelous 3-0 Denso Airybees (25-15, 25-22, 25-21)
Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 Hitachi Rivale (19-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-15)
Schedule for Matchday 12, December 2, 2017
JT Marvelous vs. Hisamitsu Springs
Toyota Auto Body Queenseis vs. Ageo Medics
NEC Red Rockets vs. Toray Arrows
Hitachi Rivale vs. Denso Airybees
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