Himeji with another big test, take on Osaka this weekend

The first weekend of 2026 in the women’s Daido Life SV.League in Japan will offer only three double headers, but plenty of excitement with some interesting clashes, highlighted by that of high-profile table neighbors Victorina Himeji and Osaka Marvelous.

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Victorina Himeji will host defending champions Osaka Marvelous оn Saturday and Sunday, January 3 and 4, at 14:05 local time (05:05 UTC). The games will be played at the Victorina Wink Gymnasium. Just a week after failing to take any points against table leaders NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki, Himeji will face another big challenge in front of the home fans. They are still third in the current standings on a 14-6 win-loss ratio and 39 points, while their visitors from Osaka will arrive as the fourth-placed team on 13-7 and 41 with an opportunity to surpass their hosts in the chart, if they win both matches this weekend. Himeji, however, won both fixtures of their away double header at Osaka earlier this season in October, by 3-1 and 3-2. The overall head-to-head record between the two clubs in the league stands at 10-5 Marvelous’s way.

If Himeji and Osaka split the wins, however, it is possible that another team, Gunma Green Wings, surpass both of them into the third place. Before their home double header against Astemo Rivale Ibaraki, Gunma are in fifth place on 13-7 and 38. Their visitors stand 11^th on 7-11 and 23. The two matches at the Yamato Citizen Gymnasium Maebashi will serve off at 13:05 (04:05) on Saturday and Sunday.

At the same starting hour on both competition days, Saitama Ageo Medics will entertain Queenseis Kariya at the Ageo Citizen Gymnasium. Kariya are running in seventh place on 11-9 and 35, while Ageo occupy 10^th place on 8-10 and 24, with a shot at catching up with their visitors at least in win-loss ratios.

Women’s SV.League 2025-2026 11th leg:
Jan 03, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Gunma Green Wings v Astemo Rivale Ibaraki
Jan 03, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Saitama Ageo Medics v Queenseis Kariya
Jan 03, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Victorina Himeji v Osaka Marvelous
Jan 04, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Gunma Green Wings v Astemo Rivale Ibaraki
Jan 04, 13:05 local (04:05 UTC): Saitama Ageo Medics v Queenseis Kariya
Jan 04, 14:05 local (05:05 UTC): Victorina Himeji v Osaka Marvelous

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