Nagoya, Japan, October 8, 2018 - Erika Araki tallied a team-high 12 points as Japan downed Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-18) at the FIVB Women's World Championship on Monday night.
Yuki Ishii scored 10 points and Miyu Nagaoka and Mai Okumura had nine points each in the triumph.
Daly Santana paced Puerto Rico with 13 points in the loss.
Japan entered the match with a 5-1 mark, while Puerto Rico was 2-4.
One night after being taken to five sets by the Dominican Republic, Japan made short work of Puerto Rico.
The contest was marked by quick points and had only a few long rallies, with Japan controlling the tempo almost the entire way.
Japan sported a balanced attack in the win, as opposed to a single player running up big numbers. They were strong passing and in reception.
Puerto Rico was unable to score in bunches against their faster opponents and commmitted many unforced errors.
Japan went on the offensive early in the first set and was up 12-6. After Stephanie Enright fired a spike wide Japan led 16-9 at the second TTO. A block by Ishii made it 19-11 for Japan. The hosts did well in reception in the opening set. Puerto Rico tried to make a late comeback in the set, cutting their deficit to 22-18 and causing Japan to call a timeout. Japan beat back the push and took the set 25-22 on a spike by Risa Shinnabe.
Daly Santana fired a spike long and Japan had an 11-6 lead in the second set. A spike by Mai Okumura put Japan ahead 16-8. A nice option play for Araki stretched Japan's advantage to 22-12. Japan took the set 25-14.
An ace by Noami Santos pulled Puerto Rico within a point at 10-9 down in the third set. By the second TTO, Japan was on top by 16-10. A spike by Ishii made it 19-13 and Japan moved toward the finish line. Japan closed out the match 25-18 on a block by Nagaoka.