Yoshino powers Japan in shutout of France

Japan recovered from an early opponent surge to delight the home crowd with a straight-set win over France in Wednesday’s closing women’s Volleyball Nations League match in Chiba. Last year’s silver medalists improved to a 7-2 win-loss record and 21 points and occupy the fourth place in the current VNL standings. France are 12^th on 3-6 and 10, still with a reasonable shot at the Finals.

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France shocked their hosts as they stormed the match on a 5-0 run and stayed in control of the scoreboard through most of the first set, but in the money time Japan found a way to turn the course and take the lead. After that, with very few stumbles on the way, they cruised on to celebrate a 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-19) sweep.

Outside hitter Yoshino Sato was by far the best scorer of the match. She fired three aces and spiked 16 kills to finish with a total of 19 points, 10 more than each of Japan’s next two highest scorers – opposite Yukiko Wada and captain Mayu Ishikawa. Two French players reached the double digits with 11 points apiece – 22-year-old middle blocker Fatoumata Fanguedou with four stuffs, one ace and six successful swings, and opposite Iman Ndiaye with two kill blocks and nine kills in attack.

“This was our first game in Japan and that’s why there was a little bit of anxiety and stress in the first set, but with great relationship and communication between the players, we established a good atmosphere and won the match,” Yoshino Sato told VBTV.

Wednesday’s VNL action continues over in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, where Czechia and Serbia are already playing the opening match. After them, at 17:00 local time (15:00 UTC), Italy will take on Belgium.

Volleyball Nations League 2025: full schedule and results

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