Japan moved on the cusp of sweeping Pool B following a 25-22, 25-22, 25-22 tripping of Chinese Taipei Monday in the AVC Cup for Women at the Philsports Arena.
The Japanese overcame a sluggish third-set start, closing out the one-hour, 45-minute contest with a Mizuki Tanaka kill.
“It’s kind off hard for us to get on our own pace but at the end, we were able to play our volleyball. That was really nice,” said Japan setter Mika Shibata through an interpreter.
Yuki Nishikawa hammered 11 kills, including eight in the first set, while Miyu Nakagawa had three blocks and two service aces for a nine-point outing for the Japanese. Tanaka and Asuka Hamamatsu each produced nine kills.
Japan, which also beat Thailand in straight sets in last Sunday’s inaugurals, is looking forward to elevate their game as the tournament progresses.
“We are getting better and better, little by little. We got to play our volleyball. The fact that we are winning two games in a row, that’s great,” said Shibata, who tallied three attacks and an ace.
Chang Li-Wen led the Taiwanese with 16 points while Lin Shu-Ho added 10 points.
Japan will have a two-day rest before wrapping up its Pool B assignments against Australia at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, will take on the Volleyroos at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
