Going into Matchday 6, the Hisamitsu Springs were the only undefeated team remaining in the Premier League. The Springs would be facing the promoted Ageo Medics, who have gotten off to a good start in their return to the top flight. The Medics took the first set comfortable 25-20 and almost won the second, but the Springs won it in extra points 27-25. Hisamitsu then let their talent take over for the rest of the match, winning the next two sets easily to win 3-1. Ageo it seems is entirely dependent on Cuban Kenia Carcaces who had 34 points (31k, 1b, 2a). Japanese national team player Ayaka Matsumoto had 3 blocks for the Medics. Switching to the Springs, Foluke Akinradewo led their scoring with 19 points (16k), 3 of which were blocks, which make her the best blocker in league at 0.82 blocks per set. Yuki Ishii, Risa Shinnabe and Yuka Imamura all reached double figures for the Springs. Hisamitsu is still perfect at 6-0.
The Toray Arrows met the NEC Red Rockets. Toray got their first win of the season in Matchday 5, and NEC is struggling to find last year’s form. Toray did not let the Red Rockets get into the match as Mari Horikawa, Kadie Rolfzen and Ai Kurogo each hit double figures in kills, while no NEC player even reached double digits scoring. Rolfzen led all scorers with 16 points (15k, 1a) in the Toray sweep. Mizuki Yanagita led NEC with 9 points and Haruyo Shimamura had 3 blocks for the Red Rockets. Toray is now on a 2 match win streak and jumped to 6th place past NEC.
Toyota Auto Body Queenseis were looking to keep pace with the Springs when they faced JT Marvelous. The battle between Turkey’s Neriman Ozsoy for the Queenseis and Serbian Brankica Mihajlovic for JT was basically a draw with Ozsoy at 23 points (21k, 2b) and Mihajlovic at 25 points (20k, 4b, 1a). However, JT’s supporting cast won the match as they provided 25 kills to 9 for Toyota in the three set match. Mizuki Tanaka added 12 points (11k, 1b) for JT. JT is tied with the Queenseis at 4-2, but Toyota has 12 points to 11 for JT.
Hitachi Rivale and Denso Airybees were battling for last place as the loser would have the fewest wins in the league at one. Denso completely dominated the first set winning 25-11. The second was closer at 25-21, but Hitachi did fight back in the third. However, Denso were still dominant winning the fourth to take the match 3-1. Denso won the match spiking with 19 more kills than Hitachi. Denso’s Mizuho Ishida (18k, 1b) and Hitachi’s Miwako Osanai (18k, 1b) each had 19 points. Nanaka Sakamoto 17 (14k, 3b), Yurie Nabeya 16 (15k, 1a) and German Christiane Furst 12 (10k, 2a) were in double figures for Denso. Hitachi’s Megumi Kurihara was also in double figures with 16 (15k, 1b). Denso with the win moves up to 5th place.
Results for Matchday 6, November 11, 2017
Hisamitsu Springs 3-1 Ageo Medics (20-25, 27-25, 25-18, 25-18)
Toray Arrows 3-0 NEC Red Rockets (25-21, 25-13, 25-18)
JT Marvelous 3-0 Toyota Auto Body Queenseis (25-19, 25-21, 25-15)
Denso Airybees 3-1 Hitachi Rivale (25-11, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18)
Schedule for Matchday 7, November 12, 2017
Hitachi Rivale vs. Toray Arrows
NEC Red Rockets vs. Denso Airybees
JT Marvelous vs. Ageo Medics
Hisamitsu Springs vs. Toyota Auto Body Queenseis
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