profile
Ai Takahashi
Position: Outside hitter
Club: Padova (Italy)
Date of birth: September 2, 2001 (age 21)
Birthplace: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Height: 188cm
Highest point: 343cm
Dominant hand: Right
22/23 season results
team
Pallavolo Padua
League: Superlegga (Italian first division)
Participating teams: 12
Regular season: 10th place
Final ranking: 7th place
individual
() is last season's figure
Matches played: 31 (13)
Number of sets: 105 sets (31)
Total score: 338 points (3)
Set average: 3.22 points (0.1)
Serve
Number of bottles: 343 (10)
Score: 25 points (1)
Per set: 0.24 points (0.03)
Serve Receive
Number received: 402 (89)
Success rate: 50.25% (51.69)
attack
Number of bottles: 577 (14)
Score: 291 points (2)
Decision rate: 50.43% (14.29)
Efficacy rate: 33.80% (-21.43)
block
Score: 22 points (0)
Per set: 0.21 points (0)
MVP: 3 times (0)
Season Review
Not only Ishikawa and Nishida, but also Ai Takahashi is here
This was Takahashi’s second season, but last season he only joined the team in mid-December after the All-Japan Intercollegiate Championships, and he mostly played as a libero rather than an outside hitter, so the 2022/23 season, in which he was able to join the team before the start of the season, marked Takahashi’s full debut in Italy.
He was already known for his defensive skills, such as serving and digging, but the challenge was how much he could contribute on the offensive side.
However, those concerns were blown away with the opening game.
He was in the starting lineup in the first game of the season against the powerful Modena team, and in addition to his outstanding defense, he also played a major role in the team's giant-killing with 17 points, the second highest on the team, and a 57% attack success rate, winning the MVP award in the first game. In the second game, against the powerful Civitanova team, he scored the team's highest 22 points and was the driving force behind the team's big win with a 54% attack success rate, and was selected as the MVP in this game as well.
From then on, he was often marked by the opposing team and his attack numbers dropped, but from the middle of the season onwards, he not only started in the starting lineup, but also played a key role in the team's offense and defense, posting stable numbers in attacks, receives and serves in almost every game. He made a significant contribution to Padova's goal of staying in the league this season.
His attack success rate of 50.431 TP3T and serve receive success rate of 50.251 TP3T throughout the season both exceed those of Ishikawa Yuki this season, and he placed 5th in the league overall in the regular season side attacker rankings.
Until now, when talking about Japanese players in Italy, the names that came to mind were Ishikawa Yuki, who has played a total of eight seasons and is well-known, and Nishida Yuto, who only played one season last year but made a stunning impact, but Takahashi Ai has also made his name known in the Italian volleyball world.
Takahashi already had many fans in Japan and other parts of Asia, but he also captured the hearts of local Italian fans with his play and his polite interaction with fans after the match (laughs).
The strength of Ai Takahashi
Here are three strengths of Takahashi Ai that were evident during his matches in Italy this season.
①World-class defensive ability
Although he was consistent in almost every aspect of his play, it was his defensive ability that really stood out.
Although his attack and serve varied depending on the match and set, his serve receive and digs always showed his best performance, even in the world's top Italian league.
In terms of serve reception, he had high numbers, including second place overall in the overall serve reception rankings during the regular season, and because of this, there were many games in which the opposition hardly served to Takahashi.
He also digged many times to stop the opponent's powerful spikes that looked like they were going to score the moment they were hit, and there were also many occasions when he jumped in to receive the ball with one hand and saved his teammates from difficult situations.
I believe it was precisely because they had the absolute weapon of top-level defensive strength, even in the Italian league, that they were able to fight at a high level throughout the entire season without any major collapses.
2. Ability to make adjustments during a match
What has stood out this season is their ability to make adjustments during a match.
This season, especially when attacking from the front, there were many instances where he struggled with the opponent's high blocks, and his attack success rate did not improve. However, in the early part of the season, his attack performance did not improve throughout the match, but from the middle of the season onwards, even if his attack success rate in the first set was low, he made corrections afterwards and improved the numbers significantly in many matches.
For example, in the home game against Cisterna, where they came back from 0-2 to win 3-2, their attack success rate in the first set was just 17% (a negative efficiency rate), but from the second set onwards their success rate was 68%, and their overall success rate was 58%, making a significant contribution to the team's victory.
In the early stages of the match, Takahashi was unable to score because his favorite cross course was blocked by the opponent's block, but he later scored with a spike on a straight course, and from there, when the cross course opened up, he hit the ball for a cross, creating favorable conditions for Takahashi.
Responding to a reaction like this and going above and beyond during the match may seem simple, but it's by no means easy.
There is no doubt that his ability to make adjustments during games has been a major asset in supporting his consistent performance this season.
3. Super positive mentality
The third thing I'd like to introduce is his extremely positive mentality.
I think this is also partly connected to his high ability to make adjustments during a match, but this season I have often seen his mental strength in not letting himself be dragged down by difficulties during a match, but instead quickly switching his mindset to what he needs to do now in order to perform at his best.
In a previous interview, he said that he has a very positive view of difficulties and challenges, saying, "When I hit a wall, I enjoy it and overcome it, which makes me even stronger," and "I personally prefer to have fun when things don't go well," which shows his mental strength.
I believe it was because I had the mentality to look at anything positive and turn it into my strength that I was able to consistently achieve consistent results even in difficult situations.
Best bouts of the 2022/23 season
Round 2 vs Civitanova 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 16-25, 15-12)
The second game of the season saw two consecutive giant killings, and Takahashi being named MVP for the second consecutive time.
In this match, Takahashi Ai had a spectacular performance, scoring the most points on the team with 22 points, an attack success rate of 54%, and a serve receive success rate of 77%, and the shock of his first match turned into a confirmation of his greatness.
But to be honest, Takahashi has been so successful this season that he has had so many good matches - such as the first match against Modena where he won his first MVP, the comeback win at home against Cisterna, and the match against Taranto where he produced a large number of service aces and won his third MVP - that I honestly had a hard time choosing, and even now as I write this I'm still not sure (laughs).
Toshiki's Thoughts
Of all the Japanese players I interviewed this season, the one who surprised me the most was Takahashi Ai.
Even when watching the Japan national team matches, I knew that he already had world-class receiving skills, but when it came to attacking and blocking, it was unclear how well he would perform in the Italian league because he lacks height. Moreover, last season he was assigned as a libero, which made me think that he was being evaluated as inadequate as a spiker.
However, when the game started, he was a big hit not only defensively but also offensively. His giant-killing performance and consecutive MVP awards in two consecutive games from the opening game were a shock, and he continued to support Padua as the key player in the team's offense and defense during the regular season, or, in his own words, "the axis of the team."
To be honest, I never expected him to be so successful in the Italian league so quickly (sorry), and it was a pleasant surprise.
I have covered eight of his games on-site this season.
At the beginning, they lost three games in a row, but even so, they were very willing to give post-match interviews and even talked a lot in response to one question, which was very helpful for me as the reporter (laughs).
Ai was the player I spoke to the most this season after Miyaura, and the more we talked the more I was amazed at his communication skills. Although he is 21 years old, about 10 years younger than me, he has the ability to think positively and transform every event into energy for himself, which really impressed me.
Another thing that impressed me throughout the season was the serious expression he had during games.
Although he usually has a gentle, smiling expression, the tension of his sharp concentration was apparent to the viewer...
It was also announced that he will move to Monza in Italy next season.
Monza is a strong club that could aim for the top four, and they have also decided to participate in the CEV Challenge Cup (which may become the CEV Cup) next season, so I think they will continue to perform well.
But before that, there's this year's national team season.
There is no doubt that among the outside hitters on the current Japanese national team, Ishikawa Yuki and Takahashi Ai are head and shoulders above the others.
From being a central figure in Padua to now being a central figure for the Japanese national team, I am sure he will achieve his biggest goal this year: a ticket to the Paris Olympics.
I had originally interviewed Ai when he won the Spring High School Volleyball Tournament with Higashiyama High School, so he was one of the players I was paying attention to on the Japanese national team, but after interviewing him multiple times this season, he has become an even more exciting player to support.
Ran Takahashi was in the starting lineup for the Tokyo Olympics and continued to defy expectations with his outstanding performance in Padua.
I hope he will continue to be a player who impresses us in the future.
Photo: Lega Pallavolo Serie A, author's photo
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