Osaka, Japan, May 11, 2025 – Fresh off their SV.League title win, Japan’s Suntory Sunbirds delivered a commanding performance in front of their home crowd, cruising to a 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-18) sweep over Australia’s Queensland Pirates in Pool A of the inaugural AVC Men’s Champions League at Panasonic Arena on Sunday.
The Sunbirds were in control from the opening serve, showcasing their superior firepower and composure. Towering Russian international Dmitriy Muserskiy led all scorers with 13 points, including 10 attacks, 2 blocks, and an ace. Supporting the offensive charge were Kotaro Kai and Ran Takahashi, who added 9 and 8 points respectively. Queensland’s top scorer, Bradley Sting, managed 8 points—all from attacks—as no player on the Australian side reached double digits.
From the outset, Suntory’s depth and discipline were evident. Muserskiy’s height and experience anchored both the front line and backcourt, while Takahashi’s quickness and finesse added another layer to the Sunbirds’ offensive arsenal. The Pirates, while energetic, struggled with unforced errors and inconsistent reception, allowing the hosts to dominate the first set with ease.
Queensland tightened up defensively in the second set, with Connor Rudder contributing some strong attacks. But the Sunbirds responded with precision. Muserskiy continued to fire from the middle, while Takahashi delivered blistering cross-court hits and an ace that stunned the opposition. Poor passing continued to plague the Australians, while Suntory capitalized on their superior ball control and chemistry to take the second frame comfortably.
With the match well in hand, Suntory rotated their lineup in the third set, introducing key substitutes including Cuban attacker Alain De Armas. The Pirates took advantage early, stringing together several points and even taking a brief lead. But the Japanese side quickly regained their rhythm, with Kenya Fujinaka stepping up with powerful attacks, and De Armas landing sharp midcourt spikes. Impressive blocking from Fujinaka, Kenji Sato, and Kai helped the Sunbirds seal the third and straight-set win.
“It’s never easy to win the first match of a competition,” said Suntory Sunbirds head coach Olivier Lecat. “I’m happy we won. I tried to give everyone a chance to play because I believe that experience and confidence will be important for the matches ahead.”
Queensland Pirates will next face Kazakhstan’s Aqtobe VC on Monday at 15:05 local time, while Suntory Sunbirds will take on the Kazakh club in their final Pool A match on Tuesday at 19:05.
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