In the 8th round of the second half of the Italian men's volleyball league Serie A, Takahashi Ai's team, Padova (10th place), played against Verona (5th place) at home on Sunday, February 12th local time, and lost 2-3 (21-25, 22-25, 25-20, 29-27, 17-19).
After the match, Padova's Takahashi Ai gave us a comment.
--How do you feel looking back on today's game?
Takahashi: It was like the previous match against Cisterna, Padova made mistakes in the first and second sets, and I was caught in the block a little, and I played while watching the situation. That was not good in the first and second sets, and Padova was not able to create a rhythm, and the opponent played an easy game, and the volleyball they wanted to play, so I think that is something that Padova needs to work on in order to win against such opponents. That is very important, but from the third set, the members were replaced a little, and each player played well, and I was able to step up my game and improve my form, so I was able to play volleyball in a really good way, but in the end, I was defeated by the opponent's serve. I think Padova could have scored some points before that, and I think not scoring the points that we should have scored is an issue for today that we need to reflect on.
--About your spikes today. In the first and second sets, your success rate was in the 10% range, which was quite low, and it seemed like you were struggling a lot.
Takahashi: I had the feeling that I was hitting spikes a little differently than usual from the start of the game, so I was trying to figure out what the best way to play was in the first and second sets, and I wasn't hitting the ball well, so I really couldn't create a rhythm for the team in the first and second sets. If I'm at that level of numbers, then of course the team can't win, and since I'm the axis of the team, I think I need to constantly strive to score points even in more difficult situations, so I thought again.
-What do you think about Guardini, who came on as a substitute today and performed brilliantly?
Takahashi: He had many opportunities to come on as a substitute throughout the season, but even when he did, he always produced results, and his pinch serves really saved us many times. Of course, he's also tall, and I think he really showed off his potential in the match today, and of course the team itself was reminded of his playing style, ability, and level. Today, Gardini really changed the team from the third set onwards, so even though we didn't win the fifth set, I think he created a good volleyball style.
-During last week's match in Milan, what did you discuss with Ishikawa and Japan national team coach Blanc, who was there to watch the match, before and after the match?
Takahashi: We didn't really have deep conversations, but Coach Blanc has of course watched my matches up until now, and he came to watch me in Milan this time, and he told me that I am growing. He told me to try various things to improve my abilities in the match, and that since this is a rare opportunity at such a high level, I should continue to improve my play and acquire various skills, and also to be careful not to get injured. Coach Blanc told me words of support, or words that pushed me forward. As for Ishikawa, there were so many Japanese people, and in Milan, it felt like we were playing in a Japanese venue, so I told him that I was really happy to see something like this. Also, if the fact that we are playing Japanese matches like this spreads in Japan, it will spread the word that there are volleyball players who are active on the world stage, and I think that will lead to the spread of volleyball, so I thought that there was a meaning to us competing overseas.
--Earlier you were talking with Fujiwara (a third-year student at Chuo University who is a classmate of Takahashi and hails from Kyoto), who is currently training with Verona. What did you talk about?
Takahashi: Neither of us thought we'd meet here, so it was a really happy encounter. We've been competing with each other since high school, and although we were on opposing teams (Takahashi was from Higashiyama High School, Fujiwara was from Kitasaga High School), we played volleyball together, so we got along really well and communicated with each other. "How's Verona going?" I asked him, and of course he's my senior (laughs), so of course he could contact me if he needed anything. We talked about how we both want to enjoy this season and grow together for the next month.
--Please say a few words about next week's match at Monza.
Takahashi: I think it will be a very important battle, and of course the match against Monza will be a difficult one, so even though we are playing away from home, we will be conscious of Padova's playing style, or rather, Padova's volleyball, from the start, and we will go all out and try to get the points.
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