Japan fended off the challenge of a valiant Thailand stand, wrapping up the win in three sets, 25-18, 25-19, 25-22, in Pool B play of the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women, Sunday afternoon at the Philisports Arena in Pasig City.
Yuki Nishikawa fired 20 points, nine markers of which came in the third set when Thailand breathed down their necks. The outside hitter finished with 19 attacks and a service ace.
“We got nervous because it was our first game, but we got to play our volleyball, so it was a really great game,” setter and team captain Mika Shibata said of the win through an interpreter.
“They had a very great defense, so we haven’t really got ahead. So, we had to break that defense to eventually get ahead.”
Thailand opened the match on the front foot before Japan turned to their floor defense to pressure the Southeast Asian side. The Thais succumbed to errors midway to give up the advantage to Japan in the second technical timeout, which eventually went to the latter at 25-18.
The second set was more of the same before Thailand made it a game with back-to-back attacks from wing spikers Chatchu-on Moksri and Pimpichaya Kokram to cut the deficit to three, 19-21. Japan, though, pulled through and forced another attack error on Moksri to take the set at 25-19.
Thailand kept in step in the third and deciding set with Moksri and Kokram doing their thing on the floor, but Nishikawa finished the job for the 2018 runners-up with a strong down-the-line hit to end the game.
Miyu Nakagawa was also at the net for Japan with two blocks to go with her twelve spike points, while Mizuki Tanaka ended with 11 points on 10 attacks and a service ace.
Moksri was the only Thai in double digits in her two sets of play with 10 points on nine spikes and a block. Sasipapron Janthawisut added eight markers, all coming from attacks.
Japan will take on debuting Chinese Taipei on Monday at 10 a.m., while Thailand will try to bounce back when they face Australia later that day at 4 p.m.
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