USA Rallies in Five Sets to End Japan's Unbeaten Run
The United States rallies from two sets down to beat unbeaten Japan 3-2, reaching the VNL final against Poland on Sunday.
The United States ended Japan's perfect run at the Volleyball Nations League Finals with a dramatic 3-2 (25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13) semifinal win in Ningbo, China, advancing to Sunday's gold medal match.
Matt Anderson and Jake Hanes each scored 24 points for the Americans. Anderson finished with 21 kills, two blocks, and an ace, while Hanes added 20 kills, three aces, and a block. Libero Erik Shoji led all players with 14 digs, as the U.S. outperformed Japan in kills (67-57), blocks (9-7), and aces (7-2). For Japan, Yuji Nishida topped the scoring with 19 points, including three blocks and two aces, while Yuki Ishikawa added 18 and Ran Takahashi finished with 13.
Japan took the second and third sets to move within a set of victory, but the U.S. responded with a strong fourth set built on Hanes' serving. The fifth set swung back and forth, with Japan briefly leading 12-11 before the Americans closed it out through an ace from Ethan Champlin, a key point from Cooper Robinson, and a match-winning kill from Anderson.
The United States will face defending champions Poland in Sunday's final, a rematch of the 2023 championship match, as they chase their first VNL title. Japan will play Slovenia for bronze.
