DENSO UPSET OSAKA IN STRAIGHT-SET SHOCKER

Recap of women’s SV.League first-leg semifinal

Denso Airybees celebrate their victory at Osaka (source: @AIRYBEES_DENSO)

Denso Airybees Koriyama delivered a sensational shutout of their hosts Osaka Marvelous in Friday’s opening game of their women’s Daido Life SV.League best-of-five semifinal playoff at the Panasonic Arena in Japan to edge ahead in the series. Defending champions NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki capitalized on their home-court advantage to down Saga Hisamitsu Springs in four sets.

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Denso Airybees Koriyama outplayed Osaka Marvelous, the team that had been dominating the league throughout the season so far, in a shocking 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-19) sweep. Denso’s middle blocker Mana Yokoyama was instrumental to the victory. Swinging at a 69% success rate and putting away three kill blocks and two aces, she topped the chart with a match-high total of 16 points. The other middle, Nanami Asano, with four kill blocks and two aces, and Brazilian opposite Rosamaria Montibeller contributed 12 points each, while Colombian outside hitter Amanda Coneo finished with 11. With 14 points to her name, Belgian opposite Lise Van Hecke was Osaka’s most prolific scorer, while middle Sachi Minowa added another 12. The second game at the Panasonic Arena is on Saturday at 16:05 local time (07:05 UTC).

https://x.com/SVLEAGUE_JP/status/1915726447563747833

NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki lived up to their status of the higher ranked team and achieved a 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-17, 25-22) home victory in their first semifinal match against Saga Hisamitsu Springs. Outside hitter Yoshino Sato led the winners with 28 points, including two aces and two blocks. Brazilian opposite Lorrayna Marys scored 17 times, while outside Haruko Sasaki and middle blocker Haruyo Shimamura added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Hungarian outside Greta Szakmary entered the match from the second set to lead Saga’s scorers with 14 points. Megumi Fukazawa put away 11, while middle Ayaka Araki and American opposite Stephanie Samedy finished with 10 apiece. Saturday’s second match between the two teams at the Todoroki Arena will also start at 16:05 (07:05).

https://x.com/SVLEAGUE_JP/status/1915743564086362413

Women’s SV.League 2024-2025 semifinals:
Apr 26, 16:05 local (07:05 UTC): Osaka Marvelous v Denso Airybees Koriyama
Apr 26, 16:05 local (07:05 UTC): NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki v Saga Hisamitsu Springs
Apr 27, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Osaka Marvelous v Denso Airybees Koriyama (if necessary)
Apr 27, 15:05 local (06:05 UTC): NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki v Saga Hisamitsu Springs (if necessary)

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