Dominican De la Cruz leads Toray to Japan League Title

SAITAMA, Japan, April 7, 2008.- The Toray Arrows defeated the Denso Airybees in four sets in the Premier League women's final on Sunday, led by strong performances from national team center Erika Araki and Dominican attacker Bethania De La Cruz.

Araki and De La Cruz helped Toray take control of the match at Saitama Super Arena en route to a 25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 25-20 win and its first league title since taking over the team from Unitika, which won six top-flight crowns before being dissolved in 2000.
 
The multi-talented De la Cruz, member of the Dominican Republic National Team, topped all the scorers with 29 points while displaying her skills throughout the match.

 

Araki was named the season's Most Valuable Player while her team posted a 23-4 record.
 
In the fourth set, Toray trailed 11-8 before reeling off eight straight points behind hard-hitting De La Cruz and Arai's blocks.

Meanwhile, the Hisamitsu Springs defeated the Okayama Seagulls three sets to one in the match for third and fourth places.