Callao, Peru, August 7, 2015. Japan cruised to a straight-set victory 3-0 win over Cuba (29-27, 25-16, 25-17) for their first victory in Pool D of the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U18 World Championship at Miguel Grau Coliseum of Callao.
The team captained by Manami Mandai looked solid outclassing the Cuba with advantages in attacks (36-24) and serving aces (8-2). Japanese Miyu Nakagawa was the top scorer of the match with 18 points, followed by compatriot Ai Kurogo with 11 points. Diaris Perez topped the Cuba squad with points 11 in the loss.
Both teams were nervous in the first set and made many mistakes in reception; the initial advantage was for Cuba but then Japan recovered the disadvantage and won a terrific set by 29-27. Japan came out with more determination from the second set and dominated the game with aggressive service and fast attacks which exasperated Cuba team that lost the set by an overwhelming 6-25.
Cuba tried to regain the performance that they had shown at the beginning of the game but Japan declined more surprises and closed the match by winning the third set 25-17.