Saitama Ageo Medics tried to give Toray its first loss in the 2020-21 Japan V.League Division 1 Women’s Tournament but it was not enough.
Ageo Medics absorbed a 23-25, 23-25, 25-27 defeat, at the hands of the league-leaders, Sunday at Zip Arena Okayama.
Ageo Medics were always there, keeping toe-to-toe with the undefeated Arrows. but they just lacked the finishing kick to close out the sets in their favor.
Jaja Santiago was guarded throughout the match, only getting six points founded on three spikes, two block kills, and an ace – this, after a double-digit performance yesterday in their win against PFU.
Yuri Yoshino led Saitama with 12 markers, while Shainah Joseph had 11 of her own. Leading scorer Mami Uchiseto was held to just two points.
Ageo Medics went down to 6-7 for the sixth seed in the 12-team tourney.
Azerbaijani import Jana Kulan topped the scoreboard for Toray with 22 points, spread through 17 hits, three blocks, and two service aces.
Twenty-year-old Mayu Ishikawa followed suit with 14 markers under her name.
The Arrows remain spotless in 15 outings.
Santiago and Ageo Medics look to get back on the winning column when they square off against Toyota Auto Body on Saturday, Jan. 23, 1 pm, at the Saitama City Memorial Gymnasium.
