Following the Padova vs. Verona match on February 12th, we spoke with Fujiwara Naoya, a third-year student at Chuo University who is participating in Verona as a trainee.
-What did you think of today's game?
Fujiwara: Watching this match, I felt strongly that I wanted to play in a place like that, with spikers of the same generation on the court. Also, I felt the unity of the venue, something you can't experience in Japan, and I thought it was a great environment as I watched the match.
-What did you think when you saw your local classmate, Takahashi Ai, playing in the Italian league?
Fujiwara: That's amazing. I can't believe you were playing matches across the net when you were in high school.
-What was it like actually taking part in Verona's rehearsals?
Fujiwara: We are close in age, so we have a good vibe and are able to play volleyball in a comfortable environment. It's a great learning experience for me, and I'm able to play volleyball in a very good environment.
-What about communicating in a foreign language?
Fujiwara: Yes, well, word by word. The vocabulary used in volleyball is not that different, so I think I can communicate in that respect. However, I still have a long way to go when it comes to normal conversation in everyday life, so I'm going to study English a bit more.
-Which player do you talk to most often?
Fujiwara: Mozic and Mosca usually take me out to restaurants and we get along well. Mosca is one year older than me, and Mozic is the same age as me.
-What do you want to learn in particular in the remaining month so that you can prepare for your college season as a fourth-year student?
Fujiwara: I think Verona has some of the tallest players in Serie A, and their blocks are also tall, so I want to learn how Japanese players who are not as tall can fight against those tall blocks, and keep that in mind during regular practice so that I can increase my options. Also, since we are all practicing every day as professional players, I want to bring back the behavior and way of thinking of those players when I return to the team, and do my best to win the league games starting in April.
-What do you want to do after you finish your college season?
Fujiwara: I wouldn't call it the environment up to this point, but my first goal is to get into the top team and then be able to play on the court as part of that team.
Photo: Author
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