We interviewed Ryu Yamamoto, a setter who is playing for Milon in the Greek League this season.
After leaving Suntory Sunbirds Osaka, Yamamoto played for Dinamo Bucharest in Romania last season. This is his second season in an overseas league and he is playing for Miron in Greece this season. His teammate is libero Wataru Taniguchi.
Although he was not able to establish himself as a starter at Dinamo Bucharest, he won the trust of the coach at Milon and started every game as the starting setter. He contributed to the team's third place finish in the regular season with his aggressive toss work, which he also used aggressively in attacks from the center, and his powerful serve. He was also selected as the MVP of the game twice, once in the regular season and once in the playoffs.
The team is currently in the semi-finals of the playoffs. With one win and two losses, the fourth game on Saturday, April 5th was a tough one, but he played well against a strong opponent with a pitch that didn't allow the opponent to focus on one target, and in the second set, he won the set with two consecutive service aces, greatly contributing to the team's straight victory. He has kept his hopes of advancing to the finals alive in the next fifth game.
I spoke with Yamamoto after the match.
T: Congratulations on your victory. First of all, how do you feel looking back on today's match?
Yamamoto: We were already in a situation where we had one win and two losses and if we lost here it would be the end, but we had hope because we were able to play at home. However, I was really surprised that we won the previous game (at home) 3-0, but today's win was also surprising, and I'm only just now realizing it.
T: The serve by No. 14 Nanopoulos was particularly impressive.
Yamamoto: That's right. I shouldn't laugh, but it was a relief to see him get so many aces that it made me laugh. When he gets them like that, it's really helpful.
T: Yamamoto also took the second set with consecutive aces of his own, and the tosses also seemed to be well-structured, focusing on the middle.
Yamamoto: I think it was the first time I was able to get a serve point in that situation. I think I've been able to improve my serve this season compared to last season, so it was big for me to be able to get a point in the match and take the set myself. Yes, my toss was good, but I need to fix the things I need to fix. Today is my seventh match (against Olympiacos), so they can read my characteristics and so on. I'd like to fix that a bit more.
T: Could you tell us more about the areas in which you have improved this season compared to last season?
Yamamoto: Yes, in terms of serving, I was able to hit good serves in college, but last year I wasn't able to hit them very well. The serve is partly decided by the toss, but the mentality has also changed, and I have the feeling that I want to get points myself, and I worked on that a little bit this season. As for tossing, well, Kyle Russell (who was the starting opposite) left (just before the playoffs), so volleyball changed completely, but the Japanese national team also has a left-handed opposite, and (current opposite) No. 14 is also left-handed, so everyone's tempo is similar, so I personally find it easier to play now. Also, although I wasn't very good today, No. 22's B-quick has the advantage of being able to get points there, so well... it's good (laughs).
T: Last season you were in the starting lineup sometimes and sometimes not, but this year you've been in the starting lineup in every game.
Yamamoto: It's great that I've been able to play in matches and gain experience. That's what I'm going overseas for. I think it's great that not only myself, but the coach is using me all the time, using me for the full season.
T: This season, two of your classmates from Rakunan High School (Otsuka and Tarumi) are playing in Italy. Are you inspired by them?
Yamamoto: Yes, he's not a starting member, but when he does play occasionally, he does his job and wins MVP awards. The (league) level is different, but it's amazing. I think it's amazing that he's been able to make it there.
T: But will Yamamoto also go to Italy eventually?
Yamamoto: Yes, eventually, but there's only one setter (in a match). On the outside, there are about three people and you can change it all at once, but there's only one setter, and Italy has a lot of good setters who are active around the world. The young Italian setters are also amazing, so I'll do my best to make it into their ranks.
T: Finally, please tell us again how excited you are for the fifth semi-final.
Yamamoto: I think that as a team, we have never been to the finals (actually, we have been to the finals three years in a row since the 1961/62 season), so this is a chance to change history, and if we win next time, we will be able to play in the finals again, so I think it will be a great asset for me. However, (the fifth game) will be a home game for them, so I think it will be difficult, but yes, I will just do my best.
The fifth round of the playoff semi-finals will be played at 25:00 on Saturday, April 12th, Japan time. The match can be watched for free here, but only from within Greece.
https://www.ertflix.gr/en/epg/channel/ept2-live
If you can't see the broadcastLive scores hereWe would be grateful if as many people as possible could come and watch and support the game, even if it's just for a short while.
Check out Yamamoto's aggressive tossing and powerful serve!
Photo: TOSHIKI, aonsmilon.gr
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