Back-to-back VNL champions the United States kept their unbeaten run and secured the first ticket to the Finals of the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League with their 3-1 defeat of Turkey on Monday, leaving three more spots available for teams to grab in the last three preliminary round playdates in Week 5.
VNL 2021
It’s crunch time for teams in last round of women’s preliminaries
USA secure first ticket, three more spots up for grabs in Final Four
Published 10:42, 18 Jun 2021
Second-ranked Brazil have 10 victories and are one match-win ahead of Turkey and Japan, while European squads Russia and the Netherlands are trailing closely behind with eight wins.
And intense matchups will take place over the next three days as Brazil face challengers Turkey and the Netherlands, USA meet Russia and China, and Japan clash with the Dominican Republic.
USA gained full points in their three encounters in Week 4, even though they closed the round with a set-loss to Turkey. The USA wing spikers were productive once again in their rotation, with Jordan Thompson leading offence with 47 points.
The North American squad will face Poland before their big matchups with former world champions Russia and reigning Olympic champions China.
The VNL defending champions are up against a tall, reinforced Russian squad led by Nataliya Goncharova and Arina Fedorovtseva, who are among the top scorers in the tournament.
But their biggest challenge could be against China, who now have their top players Zhu Ting, Li Yingying, Gong Xiangyu and Yuan Xinyue who were firing on all cylinders in their last three consecutive victories.
Brazil are playing in their toughest round as they face Korea, the Netherlands and Turkey in Week 5.
The Brazilians will first play the Koreans led by superstar Kim Yeon Koung who top scored in their last two victories. Then the South Americans will meet third-ranked Turkey who have strong opposite Ebrar Karakurt and middle blocker Eda Erdem Dundar. Their final opponents in the preliminary round are the Dutch, who posted big upsets against Russia and Japan this year.
Brazil are in good hands with Gabi Guimaraes and Tandara Caixeta whose positive performances and consistency in scoring double-digit outputs kept their winning run going, including their latest three triumphs.
Meanwhile, Japan have also shown their ability to bounce back and had two victories in Week 4.
After a big 3-1 win over Turkey, USA handed them a straight-set loss. However, they kept their focus and posted a strong 3-1 comeback against Belgium.
They have not lost consecutive matches in the 2021 VNL, showing great team effort all the time after a setback. Erika Araki (Shinomiya) is leading a determined group of experienced and young Japanese women who are making a strong statement before the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
And in their final week in the preliminary round, Japan will try to stop the Dominican Republic and European sides Germany and Serbia to secure a spot at the VNL Finals for the first time.
Japanese hitters Sarina Koga, Mayu Ishikawa and Ai Kurogo will go all out on offence, but must have great support from middles Shinomiya and Nichika Yamada for attack points and net defence.
Their past impressive performances will count, but they will still have a difficult task to overcome an aggressive Dominican Republic side. The Dominicans also had their fair share of surprises against Turkey and the Netherlands and will be a tough hurdle to cross.
And against the European teams, their height and youth will be a factor, so Japan’s determination will again be tested in Week 5.
