Yuki Ishii's match-high 22 points led host Japan to a four-set victory (25-20, 26-28, 25-16, 26-24) over Russia at the World Grand Champions Cup on Tuesday night.
Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe fielded a team which included five members of the 2012 London Olympic bronze medal squad against the European champions.
What started out as a fairly sluggish affair in the first set heated up in the second with some exciting play from both sides.