I started playing volleyball after entering junior high school. When I first saw volleyball up close, I was drawn to the way the team worked together as one. The rules are simple: don't let the ball drop in your own half, but drop it in the opponent's half. But seeing the older students so enthusiastic about it made me want to try it too.

Since I didn't play for a so-called powerhouse school, I was worried about whether I'd even make the bench when I entered university. But I always played while thinking about how I could use my skills to benefit the team and what my strengths were compared to my rivals. The habit of observing the play of highly skilled players is still relevant to my current playing style. If you work hard, your skills will improve. I feel that my time dedicated to volleyball in school clubs was a period in which I accumulated many successful experiences.

In 2022, the boys' volleyball club had third-year students in the highest grade. We often lost to experienced universities in competition, and we were relegated in the spring league of 2022. Because we were truly frustrated, we are training with the desire to be promoted quickly. Our strength is that we have been teamed with the same lineup for two consecutive years. Coordination among members has become smoother, and our awareness of connecting and blocking accuracy have improved.

Volleyball is a sport where height gives us an advantage, but we are not a team blessed with height. To compensate for the height difference, we want to strengthen our physical abilities and avoid losing in physical strength. Now that we are in the upper grade, we have more opportunities to coach younger students. We need to pay attention not only to practice and matches but also to our usual behavior. Sometimes we have to say things that hurt our ears. Since we carry the J. F. Oberlin University sign, I believe we need to approach our activities with awareness.

As someone who gets to play in a match, I can't afford to play half-heartedly. Everyone wants to be a starter, but even so, the number of players who can actually play is limited. The whole team, including the bench players, holds back their desire to play and cheers us on with their voices. It's because of my teammates that I can keep going even when we're at a disadvantage. I'm aware that I'm carrying their hopes on my shoulders, and I go into the game determined to do my best for them as well.

I've had a lot of injuries in the past, which has caused a lot of trouble for the team. To be honest, there were times when my motivation was low, but I've been supported by many people, and that's how I've made it this far. They support me not only in club activities but also in my personal life. I'm grateful that I can play volleyball every day, and I want to work hard to achieve solid results this season.