Japan Shuts Out USA, Securing Spot in VNL Finals

Japan has officially secured its place in the men`s Volleyball Nations League Finals, becoming the sixth team to qualify alongside powerhouses Brazil, Italy, France, Poland, and host nation China. Their qualification came after a commanding straight-set victory over the USA in the final VNL match held in Chiba on Sunday. This win propelled Japan to a top-five finish in the Preliminary Phase with an impressive 8-4 win-loss record and 23 points, placing them fourth in the current VNL standings. Conversely, the USA`s hopes for the Finals were dashed, as they now sit in 10th place with a 6-6 record and 17 points, eliminating them from contention.

Kento Miyaura of Japan delivering a powerful serve against the USA.

Star outside hitter Ran Takahashi was instrumental in Japan`s dominant performance against the United States on Sunday. He delivered a match-high 18 points, including the decisive back-row game-winning point, contributing significantly to Japan`s 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-23) sweep of the Americans. Takahashi showcased his attacking prowess with 16 points from spikes, boasting an impressive 59% success rate, along with two crucial kill blocks. Opposite hitter Kento Miyaura further bolstered the team`s score with 13 points, which included three aces.

“It was a challenging week for our national team, but we performed admirably, and this outcome is very significant for us. Qualifying for the Finals is equally important, as it gives us the opportunity to compete against more elite teams and continue our development. Playing in such an incredible atmosphere here was truly fantastic.”

— Ran Takahashi

Despite fielding a new lineup, the American squad displayed considerable fight, particularly in the third set. Their offense was primarily driven by outside hitter Jordan Ewert, who registered 13 successful attacks with an excellent 68% efficiency. Opposite Gabriel Garcia, known as Gabi, contributed an additional 10 points, which included two aces for the team.

Meanwhile, other VNL matches are currently in progress, with Ukraine competing against Canada in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and China facing Cuba in Gdansk, Poland.