Ed Odeven 
The Osaka Marvelous celebrate after winning the SV.League Championship Finals women's title on May 3, 2025, at Ariake Arena. (©SV.LEAGUE)
Throughout the 2024-25 SV.League women's volleyball season, Osaka Marvelous opposite Lise Van Hecke played an instrumental role in the team's success, smashing the ball over the net for points on a consistent basis.
Marvelous fans will remember the totality of her team-leading 567 points, including 468 on attack, in the regular season. But Van Hecke's title-clinching point in the SV.League Championship Finals will probably remain in their collective memory even longer.
Van Hecke delivered the final blow with a hard-hit spike at Ariake Arena on Saturday evening, May 3 against the NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki as the Marvelous completed a sweep in the best-of-three series. Osaka won the second match 25-21, 25-21, 21-16.
The thrill of victory was a recurring theme throughout Van Hecke's interactions with reporters after the match.
"I think it's always an amazing feeling when you win a title and to be the first in history, it makes it only more beautiful," the Belgian star said. "We're very happy, I'm very proud. It's been a long season, but to finish it like this, it's the best way and I think we showed everyone we deserve to be the champion."
On Friday night, the Marvelous triumphed 25-14, 25-10, 25-21, grabbing momentum from the get-go in the opening set (an 8-0 lead).
SV.League Champs Displayed Consistency Throughout the Season
In 2024, the Red Rockets captured their second consecutive title in the V.League (the SV.League's predecessor), beating the Marvelous in the finals. This time, Osaka's supremacy during the regular season (a league-best 37-7 record) maintained form in the playoffs.
Van Hecke and Marvelous captain Mizuki Tanaka led the club with 13 and 11 attack points, respectively, in Saturday's match. Outside hitter Kotona Hayashi registered nine kills and Sachi Minowa contributed seven to bolster the team's attack at the net.
Keys to Victory for the Marvelous
After exchanging hugs and high-fives with her teammates after the match, Tanaka shared her insights on what it took for the Marvelous to complete their title quest.
"This was a chance to get revenge for last year, and since NEC is a strong team, I'm happy that we were able to win the championship in two matches against them," the 29-year-old outside hitter who was named Finals MVP told reporters. "So many people supported us and pushed us forward.
"We're glad that we were able to express that properly on the court. As for what went well, there was, of course, a team strategy for our offense, but in the end, what matters is how the spiker finishes the play when the ball is entrusted to them."
In addition to its slight edge in attack points (47-33), Osaka owned an 8-3 advantage in blocks, led by Minowa with three. Ameze Miyabe and Haruka Oyama contributed two apiece.
Teamwork was a defining characteristic of the Marvelous' season, according to Minowa, who hails from the Philippines.
"Everyone really did a great job today and I think how we prepared to come here, I think my team really deserves it," she said. "There's always a lot of ups and downs but I can see with the eyes of my teammates and how we work hard on the practice, I don't see any doubt for my team."
Added Minowa, whose maiden name is Jaja Santiago, "I think serve was the key to break the attack of NEC. They really have a lot of good attackers and by serving and giving pressure, I think we can control everything."
Strong serving did pay off for the Marvelous, who had 73 attempts and only three service errors.
A Coach's Perspective
Marvelous head coach Daisuke Sakai credited his players for their cohesiveness in pursuit of success.
"Even though it wasn't a perfect season, seeing the team perform like this today was the result I wanted," Sakai said, "and I think it's something we need to build on and continue. I'm grateful for everything that's been achieved so far, and I'd like to thank the company as well."
Sakai added, "It's important that we've been working on creating a system that allows the team to be more adaptable and responsive, both in defense and offense. The players themselves have been implementing what we've practiced, so it's a lot about improving and checking those details."
A Spirited Competition in the SV.League Finals
Just like in the opening set, the second set was an intense clash between Osaka and NEC.
Outside hitter Yoshino Sato and frontcourt mate Lorrayna Marys da Silva helped the Red Rockets pull ahead, and teammate Yukiko Wada gave them a 13-10 lead on a well-executed attack.
And then, faster than it takes to eat an ice cream cone, it was 13-13 in Game 2. Neither team could grab a decisive lead as they traded points in rapid succession.
But Osaka regained its edge and closed out the second set on a point by Oyama.
In the third set, after the score was knotted at 12-12, the Marvelous gained the upper hand and pulled away. Van Hecke shattered the tie with a dynamic play at the net to make it 13-12.
Moments later, it was 20-13 and the Red Rockets' chances of extending the match to a fourth set appeared insurmountable.
When it was over, Red Rockets head coach Takayuki Kaneko said his team had a better overall performance than it did on Friday, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Marvelous.
"Yesterday, after suffering such a frustrating and one-sided defeat, we reflected thoroughly on what we needed to do and entered today's match with a clear mindset," Kaneko told reporters. "I think there were moments when we were able to show our true style. We'll take this to heart and move forward."
NEC had a 30-14 record in the regular season.
Sato led the Red Rockets with 14 attack points.
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Author: Ed Odeven
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