ODDS and EVENS | Volleyball: Potent Attackers Lead Japan to the Nations League Finals

With three dynamic hitters leading the offensive attack, Japan has advanced to the final round of the 2026 FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League.

Eight teams remain in the hunt for the coveted title, including two-time reigning champion Italy.

After a break from competition following the completion of the tournament's preliminary phase, Japan returns to action against Brazil in the quarterfinals on July 22 in Macau. (Check out the full schedule for the final round, which concludes on July 26, on the Volleyball World website.)

Brazil was the tourney runner-up in 2025, with Japan placing fourth in the final round in Lodz, Poland.

Japan captain Mayu Ishikawa, one of the team's top hitters, expressed her excitement about the upcoming quarterfinal showdown with Brazil. She also urged Japan's supporters to keep rooting for the volleyball team.

"We'll give it our all, [stay] true to ourselves," Ishikawa wrote in an Instagram post. "Please continue to cheer us on, whether you're at the venue or watching on screen!"

A Valiant Comeback Against Poland

Japan faced a must-win match against Poland on July 12 in its final match of the Volleyball Nations League pool phase in its quest to secure a berth for the tourney finals.

Captain Ishikawa spoke about the team's sense of urgency before the showdown with its European opponent.

"It's the final match of the Japan round, so it's a very important one," she said, according to the Nippon TV website. "I want the whole team to play with energy and momentum right from the start."

But things didn't go according to Ishikawa's wishes from the get-go. In Osaka, Poland jumped out to a 2-0 lead, winning the first two sets (25-20, 25-14).

With determination, strong teamwork and noteworthy individual performances, Japan rallied past Poland.

Key Performances Against Poland

Outside hitter Yukiko Wada played a pivotal role in Japan's riveting comeback victory, notching a team-best 27 points. This included 26 attack points as Japan bounced back for the hard-earned triumph ― outscoring Poland 25-19, 25-21, 15-13 in the final three sets.

What was Wada's mindset after Japan dropped the first two games?

"I'll score points and turn the tide," she was quoted as saying by Sports Hochi.

Augmenting Wada's excellent effort, Ishikawa contributed 16 kills against Poland, while fellow outside hitter Yoshino Sato had 12 attack points.

Wada, who also registered 26 kills against Turkey in a four-set loss on July 11, expounded on the team's goals heading into the match.

"We were determined to go all out for the win, and we made a solid shift starting in the third set," Wada said, according to Tokyo Sports. "It was a match where we discovered a new strength within ourselves. We were able to pull it off precisely because everyone focused on winning without feeling too much pressure."

Japan Volleyball Squad Relies on Diversified Attack

After playing 12 matches in the Volleyball Nations League first round, Japan is tied with Canada for the third-best record (8-4). Brazil and Turkey are 9-3. The United States and Italy sit atop the standings with 10-2 records.

Wada delivered a number of tone-setting performances for Japan in the opening round. She had the third-most attack points (205) among the participants from all 18 teams.

Ishikawa chalked up 185 kills (No 6 on the chart), and Sato registered 156 attack points (10th-best total).

For Japan to have three players among the top 10 in attack points, it underscores the team's diversified offense. Instead of relying on one player to lead the attack, coach Ferhat Akbas' squad benefits from the skills of three top attackers.

During its Volleyball Nations League matches, Japan's energy, positivity and synergy have been on display ― often simultaneously.

And don't forget this: Physical talent and mental fortitude are complementary skills in the fast-paced sport of volleyball.

For Wada, the continuous goal of making crucial plays to help determine the outcome of matches links those two traits.

"I want to be a player who can secure the win in the end," she was quoted as saying by Tokyo Sports.

She added, "I think it's essential to have many such players on the court. So I want to clearly identify what winning players possess and be able to lead the team to victory during tough times."

A Captain's Ambitions

In 2024, Japan claimed the silver medal in the Women's Volleyball Nations League, its best-ever showing in the global tournament, in Bangkok.

As Japan strives to capture another medal later this month, Ishikawa recognizes the importance of her performances for the team.

"It's not just about my determination to finish plays," she said, according to Sports Hochi before adding, "it's also about using my own play to have a positive influence on the other players."

Author: Ed Odeven

Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.