What I learned in club activities
Objective perspective and
One-on-one communication

College of Health and Welfare 4th Grade
Girls' Volleyball Club Captain Spiker
Graduate of Koma High School, Yamanashi Prefecture

Mahiro Sano

Main content

We enjoy club activities and playtime together, fostering a flat, egalitarian relationship that transcends grade levels.

I started playing volleyball when my sister was in a local club team that ran out of members, and I was invited to play it. It was one of the same extracurricular activities as piano and English, but before I knew it, the only thing I had been doing was volleyball. I received invitations from several universities, but I ultimately chose J. F. Oberlin University because everyone was smiling and playing happily when I watched the practice. It was the year we were promoted to the first division, so being able to play at a higher level was also appealing.

Before enrolling, I was injured and had surgery, and the doctors told me it would be difficult to play as I used to. Watching peers adapt and grow while handling different menus in the gym can ...... feel a sense of frustration and inner conflict. I wanted to play in that environment as soon as possible, so in a good way, I started to embrace rehabilitation and training. J. F. Oberlin University we don't really focus on hierarchical relationships; instead, everyone enjoys practicing while calling out to each other. Especially in recent years, regardless of grade, it seems that we have become even closer through private outings and sleepovers.

By expressing our opinions, we can concentrate more on practice.

I felt that a turning point for the team was the change in coaches in my third year. In addition to the head coach, the team was divided into a physical coach and a medical coach, each with specialized knowledge. As a result, the training methods changed completely. Until then, the training menu was almost the same every day, but now the coaches and students discuss and decide what is needed at that time, and the purpose, methods, and points of focus of the training became clearer.

Also, while we used to do running and weight training during breaks between classes, incorporating them into club activity time has allowed everyone to focus more effectively. It has become easier to communicate our opinions to the coach, which has increased individual motivation for practice and I think it has had a positive impact on the team. We can now receive expert advice from the medical coach regarding post-practice care and our physical condition, making it easier to get in shape for matches. For the sake of the coach, staff, and everyone who supports us, I feel that we must be even more committed to winning as a team.

The support of everyone involved will be a great source of strength during the match.

I became captain in December of my third year, and it's been about six months now, but I'm constantly filled with doubts and anxieties about whether I'm fulfilling my role in uniting the team. In volleyball, the number of people involved in a match is limited, so there inevitably are differences in motivation among the team members. Ideally, I want us to become a team where everyone is working towards the same goal in practice and pushing each other to improve. When I feel that someone is losing focus during practice, I try to bridge the gap by actively speaking to them, and sometimes even stopping practice to talk.

During a match, if only the players on the court are present, the pressure can sometimes prevent them from playing at their best. However, when they feel the support from the sidelines, a brighter atmosphere naturally develops. This is a valuable force that cannot be generated solely from within the court. My experience in a leadership position broadened my perspective and allowed me to view things more objectively. I also learned that one-on-one communication is essential for understanding each other's perspectives. I hope to use the experience I gained here to work in children's education in the future.

Interview date:
This was done in April 2022 for the "Obirin Sports" website.

What I learned in club activitiesObjective perspective andOne-on-one communication

Main content

We enjoy club activities and playtime together, fostering a flat, egalitarian relationship that transcends grade levels.

By expressing our opinions, we can concentrate more on practice.

The support of everyone involved will be a great source of strength during the match.

Related content

What I learned in club activities
Objective perspective and
One-on-one communication