Japan takes third place in FIVB Women’s World Championships
After losing to Russia in the semi-finals at the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women's Volleyball World Championships, the tournament’s host country, Japan, defeated the USA 3-2 (18-25,
25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 15-8) to claim third place in front of 12,000 fans at Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday.
“I'm glad to win in the bronze-medal match,” said Japan’s coach, Masayoshi Manabe. “To get a medal was our goal this year, so I'm satisfied. We had 11 matches in this championship and it was a heavy schedule
and we felt the pressure because Japan is the host country but our staff supported us and helped us win.”
Destinee Hooker led the Americans in points with 28, and Saori Kimura led Japan with the same total.
With the teams tied at one point apiece early in the first set, Yoko Sano saved a powerful spike from Hooker, and turned it into a point and a 2-1 lead for Japan. But it didn’t take long for Hooker to
make an impact as just a few moments later she had a successful spike to give the Americans a 4-3 lead. The US went on to win the first set 25-18 as Japan’s shorter blockers were unable to stop a relentless American attack.
The US continued to score points in the second set, taking an early 4-0 lead, but Japan stormed back to make it 4-3. The teams traded points until the US stretched their lead to 12-7, but again Japan battled
back to make it 12-11. Japan then moved in front 14-13 before taking a 16-14 lead. This time it was the US that worked hard to tie it up as they blocked their way to a 20-20 tie. Saori Kimura adjusted her lighter spiking to heavier smashes as the US began
to expect the former. Kimura earned two points on powerful smashes to give Japan a 23-21 lead that turned into a 25-23 set win.
After trading the lead early in the third set, Manabe called a timeout with Japan down 19-16, but strong spiking from Hooker proved the timeout to be ineffectual as the Americans won the set 25-21.
In the fourth set it was Japan’s turn to carry the lead. They led 6-2 and 11-7 before Sano made an incredible dig that gave Japan a 20-12 lead, and inspired the team to a 25-19 win.
Both teams were guilty of errors in the fifth and final set, and the difference in the set was Japan’s hustle. With Ai Yamamoto pounding the Americans on the right side, and Saori’s powerful serving, including
an early ace in the set, Japan looked more aggressive and eager to win as they took the set by a convincing 15-8 score.
“I'm proud of the way our team competed,” said Hugh McCutcheon, coach of the US. “Both the US and Japan did their best, and they were very good. As a result, we were defeated. It was a long tournament.
We had the privilege of visiting various cities of Japan, and it was certainly different than playing in New York. That difference made it a bit difficult for us.”
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