Japan halts Chinese Taipei, clinches last 8 spot at Asian U23 volleyball

Japan reserved a slot in the round of eight of the Asian U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship after dismantling Chinese-Taipei 24-26, 26-24, 25-23, 25-10, in their Group C preliminaries on Saturday evening at Philsports Arena.

It was a rumble in the first three sets before Japan found its footing in the fourth.

Minami Higane scored an ace for Japan that ensured their perfect six points in the preliminaries stages after annihilating Maldives on Friday.

Japan head coach Kiyoshi Abo, through a translator, said it was a “tough game” for them and defeating Chinese Taipei was no easy feat.

“Chinese Taipei had a great performance,” Abo said.

He acknowledged that their win was not a perfect one and they needed to improve as a team.

“We have to fix our defense, it’s a task for us.”

Japan had no shortage of fire power with team captain Nao Muranaga and Kaori Mabashi putting up 18 points apiece while Nanaka Sakamoto had 12.

Tseng Wan-Ling and Chen Tzu-Ya had 11 points apiece while Lee Tzu-Ying had 10.