Japan national wing spiker Megumi Kurihara will leave corporate team NEC next month, citing playing style differences with the V. League team, team sources said Wednesday.
The 20-year-old will leave NEC on Oct. 13 and, after a taking a short break, will seek out another team, including possibly plying her trade overseas. According to NEC, after her rookie season Kurihara apparently said, "I can't get used to playing NEC's style of volleyball."
The 186-cm Hiroshima native helped guide Japan to its first Olympic berth in eight years.
An Italian professional team has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Kurihara.