Yukiko Wada unleashed a 29-point performance to fuel Japan's remarkable comeback against Thailand in the Women's Volleyball Nations League on Wednesday. Down two sets, the Japanese side refused to panic, methodically flipping the match in their favor to maintain their perfect 5-0 record.
"It was tough, but we never gave up," a similar sentiment echoed throughout the day's matches, particularly from Poland's captain Agnieszka Korneluk after her own team's five-set thriller.
The Japanese victory places them at the top of the standings alongside Italy, who continued their impressive run by defeating Bulgaria 3-1 behind Paola Egonu's 27-point masterclass.
In Belgrade, Poland demonstrated remarkable resilience, battling back twice to edge the Netherlands in a five-set contest. Captain Korneluk led by example with 19 points, helping her squad climb to third place in the standings.
Meanwhile, Turkiye fed off their electric home crowd in Istanbul, sweeping the Dominican Republic in straight sets. Melissa Vargas delivered when it mattered most, contributing 16 points to the victory.
"It felt amazing to play at home again," said Turkiye's Hande Baladin, clearly energized by the roaring supporters.
The day's action featured several other notable results. Brazil secured a 3-1 win over Belgium with Ana Cristina stepping up as the difference-maker. Germany outlasted France in another five-set nail-biter, while China pleased their home fans with a 3-1 victory against Czechia.
In perhaps the most emotional moment of the day, Korea finally tasted victory, beating Canada in a dramatic tie-break after a closely fought contest.
By the way, this round of matches has featured an unusual number of comeback victories and five-set thrillers. Is this a sign of increasing competitiveness across the tournament? The next rounds should provide some answers.
