Manila, Philippines, August 10, 2017 – Japan took advantage of the absence of volleyball superstar Zhu Ting in the SMM 19th Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship and made quick work of China in straight sets 25-14, 25-17, 26-24 to remain unscathed with a 2-0 record.
Japanese setter Koyomi Tominaga displayed complete control of her team’s offense with 30 excellent sets which allowed spikers Rika Nomoto, Risa Shinnabe and Sarina Koga to score 13 markers apiece, a far cry from China’s performance which only had Ye Jin in double digits with 10 points.
But though Zhu Ting’s temporary hiatus post-2017 FIVB World Grand Prix was a factor in China’s sluggish performance Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena, Japan, too, played without the services of some of their mainstays like Yuki Ishii and Haruka Miyashita.
Asked about the exclusion from the lineup of some big names, Japan head coach Kumi Nakada clarified it has nothing to do with injuries.
“We’re just trying and experimenting different lineups in official tournaments like this. They will see action again sooner or later in other competitions,” Nakada said in an interview.
With the win, Japan will be claiming the top spot in Pool B. China and Australia have to fight it out on Friday for the remaining spot in the pool.
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