A high school student was called up to Japan's national volleyball team it was revealed on Wednesday, when the Japan Volleyball Association announced the 27-woman squad for its upcoming international competitions.
Airi Miyabe, who helped Kinrankai High School in Osaka win the national high school tournament earlier this year, was among the five newcomers to the Japan team. Nozomi Tsuchida (Ageo Medics), Nanaka Sakamoto (Denso Airybees), Sayaka Iwasaki (NEC Red Rockets) and Mio Sato (Toyota Auto Body Queenseis) were also called up for the first time.
“I am very nervous surrounded by other Japan members, but this is a great chance for me to improve myself,” said the 16-year-old Miyabe, who has a Nigerian father and Japanese mother. “My weapon is the high hitting point. I want to see how I can play against the top-level (players) of the world.”