400 IQ Creative Volleyball Sets by Ran Takahashi

That's no good. Underneath it, Yamamoto did well. Second chance for Turki over the top, only as far as Sakita. Beautiful jump set from Ryan. The point is still alive. Remarkable play, the point is Japan's. Wonderful athleticism. What was the infringement from Turki? Was it a neck touch there? Sakita's serve. That's going to go right back to Japanese hands. They can't finish it off. An escape for Turki, they get another go. Advances Japan now. Oh, good disguise. That was clever from Yuki Ishikawa because it looked as if he was going to go for the big hit. And then he turned it into a jump set. It wasn't Ishikawa, it was Ryan in fact. Ryan with a gorgeous jump set. Wonderful disguise on this man. Yuji Nishida was there. Underneath it here. This is easy for Japan. Oh, what a point. Yuji Nishida with the final touch. That left hand has got so much pace and power and accuracy. 13-7. Third set, David Smith with the serve. Sakita coming forward. Sakita involved again. Backcourt attack. Ryan switches it. It's down. Beautifully done. Oh, that is special from Ryan Takahashi. They all thought he was going to hit. He became a jump setter. And fed it perfectly. Teed up Shoma Tomita for yet another point. Big thumbs up from Shoma. Set point. Japan were five behind at one stage. Right back in business in this first set now. Over the top. Sakita moves forward sharply. And that is another one for Yuki Ichikawa. All of a sudden, Slovenia being outplayed in every department. A slow start for Japan. They are 12 all. Off the net. Point is still alive. And it's fired away by Nishida. Came off the libero Japan's point. Nishida climbing from very little forward run. Almost a stab. Over the top. Great dig from Egypt. Point still alive. And out from the block. Yuki Ichikawa happy to turn and see that one drop out. Still a lot of work. This is a little awkward, but Rio made the most of that. He's got to cut the cross here somehow. Japan have kept the point alive. That's not great though. From the back of court. Advances Japan out of nowhere here. And it's their point. Brilliantly done. That was the rescue from Rio down on his belly at the side of the court. And in the end, Kentomi Yara got on the end of it. Scrambled forward by Egypt in a good position here. It's cut out by Japan. What a set that was. Over the head of Ryan Takahashi. Somehow twisted and contorted with a little bit of magic. We saw genius at times from him yesterday. Point finished. In style by Taishi Onodera. They were queuing up. Onodera being all in the second. First set for Japan 25-21. Chance to go ahead here. Ryan becomes the setter. Nishida can't finish it off. It'll have to cross here. They're underneath it again. Sakita. Oh yes! Yuji Nishida. With a beauty. Back set from Sakita. Nishida in the right place with beautiful timing. 25-14 in the first. 25-10 in the second. Japan were all over their opponents. And then things started to unravel. It's a good looking serve. They edge ahead again. 11-10 now. Ryan. With a block. Touch and Ryan nails the point. He'll serve. 11-10 now. Had a miserable first couple of sets. But look at him controlling Egypt's resurgence here. That stops the rock for the moment. Ryan Takahashi. Having a word with his teammates after he wins this point. Cleverly. Now they need some points behind serve to get back in business in this third set. Four points adrift still. On Adair's serve. Keeps happening for Egypt. Explosive. Egypt's ahead. 2-1. And they stretch their lead. Sakita. On the line from Ryan. Incidentally no matches on Monday. There's a rest day on Monday. The action continues on Tuesday from the Yoyogi. What a presence he is at the front of court. Serve from Egypt in. Japan. Convert. Ryan Takahashi steps up. To find a way through. Two sets all. Two points all in the fifth. Nikula. With the serve. Timing, timing was the call from Joel Banks. That timing was fantastic from Japan. Big flying attack from the back of court. From Ryan Takahashi. He's still in the air when the ball hits the floor. Ball gets down before he does. That's how high above the net he soars. Cracking serve. Oh what a take. Now. A bit more time and space for Egypt. And they've nailed it. It's him again. El-Hosseini. Does it again. Now. This is a chance developing. They haven't had too many recycled balls. They've failed to capitalise. And it's slipping away again. Ahmed Omar getting involved. He made the most of it. And Reda Haikal is ready to serve again. Good serve from Reda Haikal. Off the block and high. Will be brought back under control from the back of court. Advantage Egypt here. Beautiful interception. And a chance over the top. Japan will get another go. It's got to cross here. Not ideal. Egypt with a chance to go. Three points clear. That's out. And that's where they are. 11-8 they lead. Egypt yet to win a set. In this Olympic qualifying tournament. Finland serving again. Oh it's awkward. It's in the back of court. High now. Finland send it over. Japan have to score here. Backcourt attack. It's blocked. It's a monster block. Finland are two points clear. And it's that man. Niko Suikkonen who came on early in the match. Scored with his first touch. And has been exemplary throughout. Who gives Finland the lead with a... Big moment for him. Just come on. See what he can do. Masato serve. Oh great work. What a pick up. Over the top. Finland regroup. An attack. And it's long. It is set point Japan. 24-12 they lead. Too many unforced errors from the Finns. Japan have been cruising throughout this second set.