Ryu Yamamoto (23), a member of the Japan Volleyball Association’s “B Team,” a team made up mainly of young players. During his high school years, he was a member of the “Rakunan Quartet,” which won the Spring High Volleyball Tournament (All Japan High School Championship), and this promising setter is continuing to take on challenges overseas at a young age.

“In Japan, you really feel protected.”

Many fans were surprised by his decision. It was in June 2023, three months after he joined Suntory after graduating from Kyoto Rakunan High School and Tokai University, where players such as Tatsunobu Otsuka (Osaka Bulleteon, formerly Panasonic) were transferred to Milan in the Italian first division Serie A. Yamamoto announced that he would turn professional, leave Suntory, and play in Romania.

She was fully prepared to take on her first season abroad. When asked about her impressions, she said, “Playing volleyball with people from different countries was a great experience. Even though it was the same volleyball, the content we were playing was different, and I also felt the language barrier.” She gave a wry smile, saying that she was sometimes confused by the attackers who made demands in strong English with large gestures.

One of the main reasons I decided to take on the challenge abroad was…