Bangkok, Thailand, July 4, 2015 - Japan gained their first victory in Pool A beating Thailand 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-22) to claim the second spot in the rankings.
Thailand started well into the first set taking a commanding lead 8-4 into the first technical timeout. As Onuma Sittirak entertained the crowd with her powerful jump serves, Thailand took an 13-7 advantage. Japan decided not to give up and won six consecutive points to tie the score 13-13 and eventually hit the front at 18-16. The spikes from Miyu Nagaoka and Saori Kimura proved to be too tough for Thailand defence allowing Japan to take the set 25-22.
Set two followed the same pattern as set one. Thailand quickly raced off into a 10-5 lead, but Japan stormed back and managed to pull back within one point at 14-13. Both teams traded the points, but the late stage of the set saw again Japan running away to finish it off 25-22.
In the third set it was Team Japan who took an early lead and managed to keep it until the end. In most parts of the set both teams went point for point, but in the late stage Japan put again the gas pedal down to seal a 25-22 vicroty on a devastating spike from Sarina Koga.
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