With the Hisamitsu Springs dominating the Japanese Women’s V.League, the biggest question to be asked of them is, “Can you go undefeated?” In their 9 previous matches, they have only went to 5th set once. On matchday 10, they faced Ageo Medics and they blew out the Medics in the first set, 25-13. Ageo fought back to take the second set in extra points, 26-24. Hisamitsu comfortably took the third set 25-21, but needed extra points to win the fourth set 27-25, and take the match 3-1. Cuban Kenia Carcaces for Ageo had 30 (29k, 1a) points and also had help with 3 teammates in double figures. However, Hisamitsu’s balance with Risa Shinnabe 11 (9k, 2b), Nana Iwasaka 15 (9k, 4b, 2a), Rika Nomoto 14 (13k, 1b), Yuka Imamura 19 (17k, 2a) and Foluke Akinradewo 14 (13k, 1a) meant that it was too much for the Medics. The scary thing is Yuki Ishii did not even play and Miyu Nagaoka is still in rehab for an injury. This team can’t get better can they? Hisamitsu a perfect 10.
JT Marvelous looked to keep 2nd place all to themselves against the NEC Red Rockets. NEC has underachieved so far this season and were looking to move up in the standings. In a sport, where each serve is a point, JT won the service line by only having 4 service errors to NEC’s 15. Serbian Brankica Mihajlovic had 31 (29k, 1b, 1a) points for the Marvelous. Her teammate Aika Akutagawa had 5 blocks and 7 kills for 12 points. NEC was dependent on Sarina Koga 18 (17k, 1b) and Nanami Hirose with 26 (23k, 3b) to keep them in the match.
Denso Airybees met Toyota Auto Body Queenseis in a battle of two teams from the Nagoya area. Toyota had lost four in a row and were desperate to win, while Denso could reach 3rd place if they won. Denso won a close match in straight sets 3-0. The Queenseis hitting errors (+4) and Denso’s block (+6) were the factors in the match. Yurie Nabeya led Denso with 21 (18k, 1b, 2a) points and her teammates German Christiane Furst and Mizuho Ishida each had 4 blocks. Toyota very dependent on Turkey’s Neriman Ozsoy with 27 points (24k, 2b, 1a), but needed more help to win the match.
The hottest team in the league not name Hisamitsu are the Toray Arrows. After starting with four straight losses, Toray had won 4 in 5 matches and would reach .500 with a win. Their opponent Hitachi Rivale won their last match after 5 straight losses. Toray and Hitachi split the first two sets, and Toray took the third set for a 2-1 lead. Toray came from behind to win the fourth set in extra points 27-25 and win the match 3-1. Toray won the match with blocking, 16 to 7. Namami Inoue had 6 blocks, while Mari Horikawa and American Kadie Rolfzen each had 3 blocks. Horikawa also had 26 kills for 29 points to lead all scorers. Hitachi’s American Cursty Jackson had 20 (17k, 2b, 1a) points in the loss. With the win Toray moved into 4th place, tied with Denso on wins, but with fewer points.
Results for Matchday 10, November 25, 2017
Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 Ageo Medics (25-13, 24-26, 25-21, 27-25)
JT Marvelous 3-1 NEC Red Rockets (25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21)
Denso Airybees 3-0 Toyota Auto Body Queenseis (25-22, 26-24, 25-20)
Toray Arrows 3-1 Hitachi Rivale (25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 27-25)
Schedule for Matchday 11, November 26, 2017
Ageo Medics vs. Toray Arrows
Hisamitsu Springs vs. Hitachi Rivale
Toyota Auto Body Queenseis vs. NEC Red Rockets
Denso Airybees vs. JT Marvelous
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