ASTEMO AND AGEO FOLLOW PATTERNS, BEAT EACH OTHER

Recap of women’s SV.League 13th-leg matches

Photo source: @Astemo_Rivale

Astemo Rivale Ibaraki and Saitama Ageo Medics followed their patterns of winning a game and losing a game in each of their previous several double headers in the women’s Daido Life SV.League in Japan and did it again as they met one another in one of the 13th-leg match-ups this weekend, exchanging shutouts. Sunday’s upset cost Ageo a substantial drop to fifth place in the current standings.

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In the first game between the two rivals on Saturday, Saitama Ageo Medics dominated on the way to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-22) victory over hosts Astemo Rivale Ibaraki, with a 17-point match high from Serbian outside hitter Sara Lozo and despite an impressive five kill blocks from the home team’s American middle blocker Brionne Butler.

“We prepared to overcome Astemo’s tenacious defence. Thanks to the efforts of everyone, including the high-quality swings of the spikers, the passes of the setters that supported them, and the defenders, who always followed up on the blocks, we were able to win many rallies. They showed great concentration and unity,” commented Ageo’s head coach Shigekazu Okubo.

https://x.com/Saitama_AMG/status/1880493455291646016

The tables were turned on Sunday, however, and Astemo put together a 3-0 (25-21, 28-26, 25-22) shutout of their visitors, causing them a fall of two spots in the table, down to fifth place on a 16-8 win-loss ratio and 49 points. Astemo stayed seventh on 14-10 and 40. Outside Kurumi Takama was their leading scorer in the match, with 17 points towards the victory.

“Our athletes played more aggressively than yesterday,” said Astemo’s head coach Kodai Nakaya. “They were thirsty for points, which was great. Over the past two days, we have learned a lot from Saitama Ageo’s team strength and skills. We will gain confidence from what we have done and we will grow by uniting more, learning and fleshing out our skills.”

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Toray Arrows Shiga and PFU BlueCats Ishikawa Kahoku also exchanged three-point victories to keep the status quo in the eighth and ninth place, which they occupy, now on 13-13 and 36, and 10-16 and 29, respectively. Visitors PFU produced a 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-19) upset on Saturday, led by outside Kisa Okuma with 15 points. The home side got back at their opponents on Sunday with a 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19) victory. Toray’s Italian opposite Sylvia Nwakalor was on fire, delivering the weekend high of 38 points.

The favourites in the other five double headers celebrated victories in both of their matches.

Victorina Himeji were one of the teams that surpassed Ageo in the standings and took the third place on 17-7 and 47. They hammered out sweeps of both games at Aranmare Yamagata – 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-14) on Saturday with a fantastic 28-point match high from international outside Arisa Inoue, and 3-0 (25-11, 25-23, 25-23) on Sunday with another 20 points from Inoue. Aranmare are still second from the bottom, in 13th place on 2-24 and 8.

https://x.com/SVLEAGUE_JP/status/1880860808760250617

The other team that overtook Ageo were defending champions NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, who claimed the full six points from their home encounters with Okayama Seagulls and rose to fourth place on 16-8 and 49, leaving their visitors in 11th place on 8-14 and 26. In Saturday’s game, NEC allowed the opponents one set, but took a 3-1 (25-20, 25-21, 16-25, 25-22) win, inspired by a solid performance from their best scorer of the match, middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura, who contributed 20 points. Outside Yoshino Sato led the way with 15 points in Sunday’s 3-0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-21) sweep.

Table leaders Osaka Marvelous consolidated in first place, now on 24 and 61, with two four-set home wins over Kurobe Aqua Fairies, who stand in 12th place on 9-17 and 25. In Saturday’s 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-19, 27-25) victory, outside hitter and captain Mizuki Tanaka led the way with 20 points. In Sunday’s 3-1 (25-21, 17-25, 25-13, 25-21) win, Belgian opposite Lise Van Hecke shined with a 26-point match high.

https://x.com/SVLEAGUE_JP/status/1880846396636770551

Second-placed Denso Airybees Koriyama improved to 21-5 and 63 after collecting six point from their home double header against winless Gunma Green Wings. They also allowed the opponents a set in the first match, but came back to win by 3-1 (21-25, 25-13, 25-23, 25-17). Brazilian opposite Rosamaria Montibeller was the best scorer of the match with 21 points. In the second, Denso mastered a 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-20) shutout, led by Colombian outside Amanda Coneo with 15 points. Gunma trail bottom in 14th place on 0-22 and 1.

Saga Hisamitsu Springs celebrated two four-set wins at Queenseis Kariya – 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 30-28) on Saturday with an impressive 29-point match high from outside Megumi Fukazawa, and 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 30-28, 25-19) on Sunday with American opposite Stephanie Samedy shining with 29 points on top of the scorers chart. In the table, Saga are sixth on 17-9 and 53, while Kariya are in 10th place on 9-15 and 28.

Next weekend is reserved for the SV.League All-Star Games and the 14th leg will take place on Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2AGnNzqDI/?igsh=bmZuaGo3dGhtcHps

Women’s SV.League 2024-2025 14th leg:
Feb 01, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Denso Airybees Koriyama v NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki
Feb 01, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Astemo Rivale Ibaraki v Kurobe Aqua Fairies
Feb 01, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Queenseis Kariya v PFU BlueCats Ishikawa Kahoku
Feb 01, 13:05 local (05:05 UTC): Victorina Himeji v Saitama Ageo Medics
Feb 01, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Gunma Green Wings v Aranmare Yamagata
Feb 01, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Toray Arrows Shiga v Okayama Seagulls
Feb 01, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Saga Hisamitsu Springs v Osaka Marvelous
Feb 02, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Denso Airybees Koriyama v NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki
Feb 02, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Astemo Rivale Ibaraki v Kurobe Aqua Fairies
Feb 02, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Queenseis Kariya v PFU BlueCats Ishikawa Kahoku
Feb 02, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Victorina Himeji v Saitama Ageo Medics
Feb 02, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Gunma Green Wings v Aranmare Yamagata
Feb 02, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Toray Arrows Shiga v Okayama Seagulls
Feb 02, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Saga Hisamitsu Springs v Osaka Marvelous

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