3 Video Views·Jun 23, 2026
Japan vs Dominican Republic | Highlights | Women's VNL 2026. Japan 🇯🇵 vs. Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 | Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 | Week 2 Highlights
The Dominican Republic produced one of the biggest upsets of the Women's Volleyball Nations League 2026, defeating previously unbeaten Japan 3-1 in a thrilling Week 2 clash at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines. After dropping the opening set, the Caribbean side mounted an impressive comeback to claim a memorable victory with set scores of 17-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-23.
Japan looked dominant early in the match, controlling the first set with their trademark fast offense, disciplined defense, and excellent ball control. The Japanese squad comfortably took the opener 25-17 and seemed destined to extend their unbeaten run in the tournament.
However, the Dominican Republic responded strongly in the second set. Their blocking and attacking efficiency improved significantly, allowing them to level the match after a 25-20 victory. Momentum continued to shift toward the Dominican side as they gained confidence and began to impose their physical presence at the net.
The third set proved to be the turning point of the match. Both teams battled point-for-point in a dramatic contest that extended beyond regulation. Japan had opportunities to regain control, but the Dominican Republic showed tremendous composure under pressure, saving crucial points before securing the set 28-26.
The fourth set was another tightly contested battle. Japan fought hard to force a deciding fifth set, but the Dominican Republic held their nerve in the closing stages and sealed the victory 25-23, completing a remarkable comeback and earning their first win of the VNL 2026 campaign.
Flormarie Heredia led the Dominican Republic with 17 points. Jineiry Martínez added 14 points, including four blocks, while Yonkaira Peña contributed 13 points. Sthefany González and Alondra Tapia also reached double figures with 11 points each. The Dominican Republic's dominance at the net was a key factor, finishing with a 10-6 advantage in blocks.
For Japan, Yukiko Wada was the top scorer with 17 points. Yoshino Sato added 16 points, while Haruyo Shimamura and Ayane Kitamado each contributed 14 points. Despite producing strong offensive numbers, Japan was unable to overcome the Dominican Republic's blocking and clutch play in the decisive moments.
MATCH RESULT:
Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 3-1 Japan 🇯🇵
SET SCORES:
17-25, 25-20, 28-26, 25-23
TOP SCORERS
Dominican Republic:
Flormarie Heredia – 17 points
Jineiry Martínez – 14 points
Yonkaira Peña – 13 points
Sthefany González – 11 points
Alondra Tapia – 11 points
Japan:
Yukiko Wada – 17 points
Yoshino Sato – 16 points
Haruyo Shimamura – 14 points
Ayane Kitamado – 14 points
Competition: Volleyball Nations League 2026
Round: Week 2
Venue: PhilSports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines
Rob Snook alongside Denise Austin and here we go and the first attack goes to
Japan and the newcomer in the lineup Kitamato. The middle blocker for Japan.
They lead 4-1 already. And there you go through the middle Janeri Martinez.
Nishimura walks into that serve as she serves it and Geraldine Gonzalez gets
one to go through the middle. Nene Seiki serves. Dominican Republic out of
system. We'll just have to set the ball over. Japan looking for the free ball.
Guinea can't score. Pena Isabel. Marta pushes her out of the way. Here comes the
swing from the left side. Good keep up from Pena Isabel. Heredia can't finish it.
Free ball over Dominicans. Let's see if they can use it. Yes they can. Geraldine
Gonzalez. And how about a trickle ace for Katia Alonso. Juana watch out for this.
Good take from Pena Isabel and then the middle attack from Janeri Martinez.
Stutter her approach. Seiki. Nice job Geraldine Gonzalez. The ball's
gonna come up and over and Shimamura shovels it down. Martinez takes. Janeri
Martinez couldn't finish. But the big block from Dominican Republic's Tapia.
Stuff block. Here's Juana and she doesn't catch fingertips so we go on. And now a
challenge is coming from Farhad Akbas, the head coach of team Japan.
Well they are always so clever with watching those plays and challenges and
Japan. She's gonna play at Busto Arcizio in the Italian League again. And Marta
calls it for herself. He is not the target this time. Seiki sets it up for
Juana and a monster solo block by Heredia. They know it's going to the wings. They
understand. Two-time Olympian for Japan sends it across. Here's the slide play
for Janeri Martinez. So effectively this time she's still under a little bit more
pressure. Marta gets a better pass that allows her to set up Heredia.
Here is Heredia. Former NCAA player. Florida and Miami. This is gonna be from
well off the net. Somehow Shigehara scores on it.
And they were in a scramble. They are going after Kitamata. She's in a blue.
Yamada's serve. Graylin's gonna try to make her first touch of the ball and
then they get it over from Rodriguez. It's gonna score anyway as Marta couldn't do
anything about it. Juana getting ready to serve. She's got five aces so far in the
VNL this year. This is a good pass. Janeri is dug by Nitsi Zaka. And a big block. Janeri Martinez working with Tapia.
Tapia's serve. It's an ace to end the set. And the Dominican Republic wins its first set of the week.
Wonderful contact. They were targeting. They've got two targets. And here we go.
Referee Ablushi blows his whistle. We're ready to go. Third set. Seiki sets back.
Juana is covered by Pena Isabel. Here's Tapia. Nice pick up from Nitsi Zaki.
And then another monster block from Geraldine Gonzalez. And they really start to cement themselves as a unit.
Another unit. Another rotation that Japan are bringing out.
Excellent movement by the middle blocker from Japan. Shimomura swing. She is still
in her 20s. 29 years of age. It's close to being a trickle ace. Sato couldn't get it through.
Juana. Marta. And it is a net touch. Oh that one hurts.
Football challenge. Here we go. And it's correct. Darn it for Dominican Republic fans.
Sends it across. Picked up by the libero. Tsukasa just pushes it over.
Thought it was going to be more of a joust. Braylon couldn't score. Kitamaru.
They come again to Kitamaru. It's dug by De La Rosa. Back row attack from Sato. And we're tied.
Tsukasa the 25 year old setter who's come on in relief and done a really nice job here.
Heredia ripping it down the line. Not done yet.
Janeri Martinez serve goes at Sato. Tsukasa delivers and the ball is out.
Andy Steele the Scottish referee coach will have his eagle eye on any errors they do make.
It's the ball. Janeri Martinez again at Sato. Who's going to swing and she is going to miss.
And Dominican Republic wins the set 28-26. Nope. Not even close. Quite conclusive. No.
Worth throwing at the challenge. You got one left. Japan trails two sets to one. Tsukasa serve at
Heredia. Japan out of system but attacking with Sato. Martinez is waiting for it. Marta sets up
Isabelle. Popped back up by Tsukasa. Want to try to catch up to it. She does. Another chance for
the Dominican Republic. Tapia off the block and off the noggin of Yamaguchi. Two early stages
of this fourth set. Tapia. The interesting thing is Brenda Castillo if she was out there
wouldn't be any doubt at all whose ball that was. Tapia with a nice rip from the right side.
Deadlock at 10. And the serving is really handcuffing Japan a little bit here.
Here's Pena-Isabelle. Good job by Sato to get that one up. Kitamato. Martinez waiting for it.
Tapia. Nice job finishing the rally. We're not there yet. Heredia serve. Here's Moana
off of Gonzalez. Marta's gonna go with the back set for Tapia. Nice pickup for Nitsi
Saki. Pena-Isabelle. Tipped in. Beautifully done. Three-point lead.
Still only a three-point lead. Japan has done it before. Pena-Isabelle goes with a sneaky
little tap. Passes out where she wants it to go. So that Shimomura. A tap. Popped back up
by Geraldine Gonzalez. Heredia slams it down. Let's see if they do the same on the other side.
Good time to go quick, Marta. Cut the tension with a knife here. 21 serving. 22.
22 all. 22. Now Marta to Janeri and she makes no mistake about it.
Back to serve. 23-22 Dominican Republic. Oh this is a scramble for Japan.
Free ball opportunity. Dominicans. Crashes it. Match point. Ends here. The serve is good.
Japan's gotta have the side out and they get it through Kitimoto. The serve, the attack,
defended. Win number one in the VNL for the Dominican Republic. Lost number one in the VNL
to Japan.
