JPN W: Japanese Women’s Championship moves into the next phase

The regular season of the Japanese women’s championship, which began on October 15, 2022, recently concluded with the last eight scheduled matches. After 33 rounds of intense matches, Toray Arrows, Saitama Ageo Medics, Hisamitsu Springs and NEC Red Rockets secured their places in the Final 4 tournament.

The regular season was formatted into three round robins, with each team playing a total of 33 games. This format allowed for maximum exposure for all the teams, giving them ample opportunity to showcase their skills and vie for the top four spots. With the top four teams advancing to the Final 4 tournament, the stakes were high for every match.

The Final 4 tournament will be played using the round-robin format, with the teams bringing a score based on their placement in the regular season. The team finishing in first place in the regular season will receive 3 points, while the second-placed team will receive 2 points, and so on. These points will be carried over to the Final 4 tournament, giving the top teams a slight advantage.

The top two teams will advance directly to the final, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 22nd. This will be a single game, and the winner will be crowned the champion of the Japanese women’s championship.

March 25, 2023
Ageo Medics vs Toray Arrows 3-2 (25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-12)

NEC Red Rockets vs Denso Airybees 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-18)

Hitachi Rivale vs Okayama Seagulls 3-2 (18-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 17-15)

Victorina Himeji vs PFU Blue Cats 0-3 (14-25, 21-25, 15-25)

March 26, 2023
Ageo Medics vs NEC Red Rockets 0-3 (21-25, 16-25, 24-26)

Hisamitsu Springs vs Kurobe Aqua Fairies 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-14)

JT Marvelous vs Toyota AB Queenseis 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-12)

Victorina Himeji vs Hitachi Rivale 1-3 (25-20, 20-25, 23-25, 23-25)

STANDINGS
1. Toray Arrows
2. Saitama Ageo Medics
3. Hisamitsu Springs
4. NEC Red Rockets
5. JT Marvelous
6. Denso Airybees
7. Hitachi Rivale
8. Toyota AB Queenseis
9. PFU Blue Cats
10. Kurobe Aqua Fairies
11. Okayama Seagulls
12. Victorina Himeji

Final Four
April 8, 2023 
Toray Arrows vs NEC Red Rockets
Ageo Medics vs Hisamitsu Springs
April 9, 2023
Toray Arrows vs Ageo Medics
Hisamitsu Springs vs N EC Red Rockets
April 15, 2023
Toray Arrows vs Hisamitsu Springs
Ageo Medics vs NEC Red Rockets