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 offers 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, and being able to play at a high level was also an attractive feature.
Before enrolling, I was injured and had surgery, and the doctor told me it would be difficult to play as I used to. While handling different routines in the gym, watching my peers fit into the team and grow, I ...... feel a sense of frustration and inner conflict. I wanted to play in that environment as soon as possible, so I started to embrace rehabilitation and training in a good way.
At J. F. Oberlin University, we don't really focus on hierarchy and practice happily while chatting with each other. Especially in recent years, regardless of grade, it seems we've become even closer by going out to hang out or have sleepovers in private.

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.

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.