Osaka, 10 October 2025 - The second season of Japan’s premium volleyball league, DAIDO LIFE SV.LEAGUE, kicked off today at Ookini Arena Maishima. VICTORINA HIMEJI defeated the 2024/25 DAIDO LIFE SV.LEAGUE champion, OSAKA MARVELOUS, 3–1 (25–19, 21–25, 25–21, 25–10) in the season opener.

HIMEJI’s new members made an immediate impact in the opening set. Early on, Camilla Mingardi (ITA) used her powerful height advantage to seize the lead for HIMEJI, while Rui Nonaka (JPN)—who joined the team this season—added crucial points mid-set. With steady momentum and sharp attacks, HIMEJI overpowered last season’s champion 25–19.

In the second set, OSAKA regrouped and showed their resilience. Kotona Hayashi (JPN) opened with three consecutive points, setting the tone for the team’s renewed rhythm. Supported by Lise Van Hecke (BEL)’s fierce back-row attacks, OSAKA maintained control throughout the set and leveled the match with a 25–21 win.

The third set turned into a fierce exchange of points, with neither side yielding until 19–19. At that pivotal moment, Saki Tanaka (JPN) scored with a clever tip to break the deadlock, and HIMEJI surged ahead with four straight points. Mingardi once again delivered a decisive spike to close the set 25–21, giving HIMEJI a crucial 2–1 lead.

In the fourth, Mingardi—who led Italy’s Serie A1 League in scoring during the 2020/21 season—was unstoppable. Dominating both offense and defense, she led a relentless assault that left OSAKA struggling to respond. HIMEJI’s powerful attack line functioned perfectly, sealing the victory 25–10 to mark an emphatic start to the new season.

Rui Nonaka (JPN), Outside Hitter, VICTORINA HIMEJI, commented:
“It’s a new season for me, with a new team and even a different position, but I truly feel I’m in a great environment surrounded by supportive staff. Personally, I’m relieved because last season we couldn’t even take a set from Osaka Marvelous, so today’s victory means a lot. The league is long, and there will be both good and tough times ahead, but I want our whole team to keep growing together and run through to the very end.”

On the same day, KUROBE AQUA FAIRIES celebrated a home-opening victory over OKAYAMA SEAGULLS, winning 3–1 at Kurobe City Gymnastics Center.

The 2025/26 DAIDO LIFE SV.LEAGUE MEN is set to begin on Friday, 24 October 2025, featuring a high-profile opening match between OSAKA BLUTEON and SUNTORY SUNBIRDS OSAKA. During the regular season, each club will play 44 home-and-away matches. The top eight of the 14 women’s clubs and the top six of the 10 men’s clubs will advance to the Championship to compete for the season title.