Himeji had an equally dramatic experience at home against Gunma Green Wings this weekend. Gunma surprised their hosts with a 3-0 (25-18, 28-26, 25-19) shutout on Saturday with a match-high 23 points from Polish outside Olivia Rozanski, and pushed them to the overtime of a fifth set on Sunday, before Victorina could partially redeem themselves with a nail-biting 3-2 (21-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 16-14) reverse sweep. Italian outside Camilla Mingardi powered the winners with a match-high 31 points, including three blocks. Gunma also kept their fifth place in the table, now on 11-7 and 33.
Astemo Rivale Ibaraki and Kurobe Aqua Fairies traded victories after delivering two five-set battles this weekend. The first match went 3-2 (25-22, 20-25, 25-20, 21-25, 15-11) the way of visitors Kurobe. German outside Lena Stigrot was the best scorer of the match with 31 points, including one ace and one block. On Sunday, the home team retaliated with a 3-2 (26-24, 23, 25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-13) victory. Their American opposite Mackenzie May erupted with a fantastic leg-high 43 points, including two aces. Kurobe dropped down a spot, to ninth place on 9-9 and 25, while Astemo remained in 11th, on 5-11 and 17.
Okayama Seagulls achieved their third win since the start of the season, a 3-1 (25-22, 18-25, 25-20, 25-18) upset of Saitama Ageo Medics at home on Saturday, with outside hitter Yuzu Nakamoto spearheading the team with 16 points. Opposite Fuyumihaui Okumuoba topped the charts with 21 points for Ageo. On Sunday, Medics got even with a 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17) win, led by outside Rina Yamaji (four blocks) and American opposite Izabella Raracz (two blocks) with 20 points apiece. Seagulls’ opposite Rinka Komatsubara emerged as the best scorer of the game with 26 points. Ageo descended one position to 10th place on 8-8 and 23, while Okayama ascended one position to 12th place on 3-15 and 11.
