(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Ishikawa Inspires Japan to Five-Set Win Over Serbia in VNL Thriller

The Japan Women’s Volleyball Team continued their impressive run in the Volleyball Nations League 2026, edging past Serbia in a dramatic five-set encounter in Pasig City, Philippines.

Captain Mayu Ishikawa delivered a standout performance as Japan survived a tough challenge to win 3-2 and maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.

Back-and-Forth Battle Against Serbia

Japan were pushed to the limit by the Serbia Women’s Volleyball Team, who took control at different stages of the match and forced a deciding fifth set.

The match featured multiple momentum swings, with Japan coming from behind twice before eventually dominating the final set to secure victory.

Ishikawa Leads the Way

Captain Mayu Ishikawa led Japan’s attack with 24 points, including 23 kills and one block, playing a key role in crucial moments of the match.

Yukiko Wada also contributed strongly with 20 points, helping Japan stay competitive throughout the contest.

Serbia’s top performers included Aleksandra Uzelac and Nina Čajić, who kept their side in contention with consistent scoring.

Japan Remain Near the Top of Standings

With this win, Japan improved their record to five wins from five matches and remain among the top teams in the VNL 2026 standings, just behind Brazil.

The victory further strengthens Japan’s position as one of the tournament favourites as the preliminary phase continues.

Other Results in Pasig City

Elsewhere, the United States secured a straight-sets win over the Dominican Republic, while Italy also claimed a comfortable victory against Czechia in another dominant performance.

Tournament Continues

The action continues in Pasig City with more key matches scheduled as teams compete for qualification in the next stage of the Volleyball Nations League 2026.