Maddie Madayag finally made her debut in the 2024-25 Japan SV.League, but it was a bittersweet moment as the Kurobe Aqua Fairies, fell to the Himeji Victorina, 18-25, 20-25, 25-18, 24-26, on Saturday at the Ariso Dome in Toyama.
Madayag, a former Choco Mucho middle blocker in the Premier Volleyball League, signed with the Aqua Fairies before the inaugural SV.League season but was only added to the lineup for Kurobe’s final three games of 2024. She had not suited up for the Aqua Fairies’ first 17 matches.
In her long-awaited debut, Madayag was utilized as a service specialist for just one sequence during the first set.
Thai spiker Chatchu-on Moksri powered the Victorina with 17 points built on 14 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Saki Tanaka added 16 points to lift Himeji to a 13-6 record.
For the now 6-15 Kurobe, Dutch import Iris Scholten carried the team with 25 points, including 21 spikes, three blocks, and an ace.
German reinforcement Lena Stigrot also contributed 19 points in a losing effort.
In other matches, Osaka and Denso secured dominant wins over their respective opponents, even with Filipino imports Jaja Santiago and Jia de Guzman sitting out.
Santiago, also known as Sachi Minowa, is currently the league’s second-most efficient attacker.
Her absence, however, was barely felt as Osaka Marvelous overwhelmed the Gunma Green Wings, 25-15, 25-16, 25-15, to remain atop the 14-team standings with a 16-3 record.
Belgian import Lise Van Hecke led Osaka with 18 points, while Kotona Hayashi and Ameze Miyabe added 15 and 12 points, respectively.
On the other hand, Minami Takaso was the Green Wings’ top scorer with only eight points, as the winless squad dropped to 0-17.
Meanwhile, Denso Airybees cruised past Yamagata Aranmare, 25-20, 25-19, 25-15, to solidify its hold on the second seed with a 17-4 record.
Haruna Yamashita and Saki Ishikura tallied 14 points each for Denso, while Amanda Coneo chipped in 12 points to kick off 2025 on a high note.
Brazilian reinforcement Rosamaria Montibeller also did not suit up for the match.
Aranmare, which fell to 2-19 and sits in 13th place, was led by Ukrainian guest player Oleksandra Bytsenko, who scored 13 points in the defeat.
