once again,
The challenge of promotion to the second division.

College of Health and Welfare 4th Grade
Boys' Volleyball Club
Graduate of Toyo High School

Rikuto Ono

Main content

I admire their independent demeanor as athletes.

I started playing volleyball in the third grade of elementary school after being invited by a friend. The sixth graders on the club team were very skilled, and I wanted to play like them, so I quickly became completely absorbed in the sport.

I had planned to end my volleyball career after high school, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my final tournament was canceled. Since I couldn't end my time in the sport in a way that I was satisfied with, I decided to continue playing in college.

At J. F. Oberlin University, where senior high school students belonged, I was amazed by the skill level of each player. But more than that, I was drawn to her presence as an independent athlete. Also, when I was in high school, I hadn't decided what I wanted to do in the future. Through a broad curriculum, I decided to take my time thinking about my future path during university life, and I decided to go to J. F. Oberlin University.

They couldn't score the "5 points" in the final stages.

What I keenly realized at university was the difference in physical ability. I was surprised by the huge difference in height and power. As expected, players who continued playing volleyball until university had high skill levels and a strong desire to improve, and they were seriously dedicated to volleyball.

Even so, when you work together as a team for a long time, there are times when the individual goals don't align, and the team lacks cohesion. Since I became captain, I've consciously incorporated a lot of high-intensity training. Even if the training feels tough, if everyone works through it together, it can foster a sense of unity. In fact, we were able to win our crucial first game in the spring league.

Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve our goal of promotion to the second division in the spring league. We made it to the playoffs, but lost in the very end. What made us feel the difference in strength more than the score difference was our inability to score those last five points. The end of the game is physically and mentally tough, but if we can persevere and score those points, we should be able to achieve promotion to the second division. By practicing with close matches in mind, we want to improve individual concentration and raise the team's level even further.

So that we can all feel that we have given it our all.

Through volleyball, I've met so many wonderful people. I've come to realize how much support I've received without even noticing. After graduation, I plan to work in real estate brokerage. I want to create a job where clients feel a sense of connection with me through my interactions with them.

We will challenge for promotion to the second division once again in the autumn league season. We will entrust the opportunity to "play in the second division league" to our juniors as we graduate.

However, promotion to the second division is merely a result. What's most important is that we can all experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from having given it our all. Because we've dedicated ourselves so seriously to volleyball, we deserve to experience that moment. We will do our best, using teamwork that transcends grade levels as our weapon, so we would appreciate your support.

Interview date:
This was done in June 2024 for the "Obirin Sports" website.

once again,The challenge of promotion to the second division.

Main content

I admire their independent demeanor as athletes.

They couldn't score the "5 points" in the final stages.

So that we can all feel that we have given it our all.

Related content

once again,
The challenge of promotion to the second division.