I started playing volleyball seriously in fourth grade. When I first joined, I was sometimes confused by the tough training, but gradually I started to appreciate the fun of volleyball. In my elementary school's club team, I even participated in national tournaments, where I learned the joy of winning and the excitement of competing against teams I didn't know. I am grateful that I have been able to continue competing in such a privileged environment until now.

When considering where to pursue further education, I wanted to leave Aichi Prefecture, where I was born and raised, and attend a university in the Kanto region. I believed that by immersing myself in an environment at the level of the Kanto League, I could grow myself. While visiting several universities, I was attracted by the bright atmosphere of J. F. Oberlin University and the student-led practice environment, so I decided to go to J. F. Oberlin University.

When I first entered university, I was overwhelmed by the difference in level between university and high school. The power and speed of the spikes were on a completely different level, and I remember being so preoccupied with just receiving them. As I progressed through the grades, I gradually began to get playing time as a reserve libero and pinch server, and now I play in matches as a regular libero.

In the Kanto Division 1 League, every team's attackers have incredibly powerful spikes. It's difficult to cope with them using only individual explosiveness, so honing the ability to "read" the opponent's attack is essential. While I refer to the data prepared by the analyst, in actual matches I try to instantly determine the opponent's approach and where they will receive the ball. I always strive to be in the optimal position to receive in order to neutralize the opponent's attack.

What we value most on the team is communication with the younger players. If they seem troubled about something, I'll talk to them, or we'll have a lively conversation about things other than volleyball. I hope that these interactions, both on and off the court, will have a positive impact on the team's coordination.

In this year's spring league, we achieved our best-ever result as a team, finishing in 5th place. This was due not only to the improvement in each player's skills, but also to everyone's strong desire to win. I felt that we created a very positive atmosphere, with even the younger players offering their opinions during meetings.

At last, at J. F. Oberlin University, there are only a few times left to throw myself into volleyball.

The team's goal is to win the Autumn League and the All-Japan Intercollegiate Championship. To achieve this, we are working on strengthening spikes, which are a challenge for the whole team, and practicing to improve the accuracy of receiving to handle powerful spikes. In the Spring League, there was a gap in strength compared to the top teams, but I feel it wasn't impossible to catch up.

As a libero, I want to further improve my serve receive return rate and win individual awards. And above all, I want to be someone who can inspire the team with the strong determination to "definitely pick up this ball" during games.

J. F. Oberlin University The girls' volleyball club is a team that is always taking on new challenges. We would be happy if you could continue to support us as we continue to grow toward our goals.