The Italy and Japan Indoor Volleyball teams played a nail-biting match on Monday evening in London. Italy walked out with the victory after winning 3 sets to 1.
This match was close from the beginning. Japan jumped out to a 2-0 lead which quickly evaporated as Italy scored six straight unanswered points forcing Japan to call a timeout.
After the break, Japan went on a brief run that cut the lead to one and the score was 7-6.
Italy stringed together three straight points to go up 10-6. The margin of Italy's lead stayed at four until Japan fell behind by six. The score was 22-16.
Japan went on a 6-1 run making it a 22-23 game and came one point away from a tie and three points away from a victory in the first set. Italy closed it out and took the first set 25-22.
In the second set, Italy took a quick 2-0 and did not trail again until the score was 14-13 in favor of Japan.
Italy went on a 4-1 to take the 17-15 lead. They would not relinquish the lead again and finished the set on a spike by Lucia Bosetti.
Japan struck first in the third set by scoring first and going on a 4-1 run. They did not allow Italy to get back into the game and held a 19-12 seven-point lead.
With the huge cushion, they were able to close out the set 25-20.
The last set was the closest set of all. There were 11 ties in total. The biggest lead was a three-point advantage the Italians could not hold on to as the Japanese rallied back from an 18-15 deficit.
After Japan took a 19-18 lead, Italy rallied back and ended the game with a 25-22 victory in the fourth set.
Next up for Japan they will face the Dominican Republc. Italy will face Great Britain. Both matches will be played on Wednesday, August 1st.
