On Sunday, October 23rd local time, the fourth round of the Italian men's volleyball league Serie A match between Padova and Perugia took place, with Perugia, who finished first in the regular season last year, defeating Padova at home 3-1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-18).
The match report is here ↓
After the match, we spoke with Padova's Ai Takahashi (OH, Japan).
--How do you feel looking back on today's game?
Takahashi: Personally, I was in good shape and the first set started out pretty well. I think we were able to play our own volleyball well, taking a set against a team that is said to be so strong, and getting into a good flow. However, we had a hard time starting the second set and couldn't keep up the momentum. In situations like this, we need to stay focused, take a set and start again from zero, and be more conscious of changing our mindset as a team, including myself. These issues have come up as challenges, so I think we need to strive for them from now on.
--Last week's match against Cisterna (Padua lost 1-3) must have been quite a struggle for you personally, Takahashi. How did you manage to move on from that point until today's match?
Takahashi: Last week, my performance was not so good, and there were times when I was substituted. But I didn't let that happen, and I prepared myself mentally beforehand for when that situation would come up, so that I could give 100% even on days like that. At the beginning of today's match, I was thinking about how I would play and how I would make up for it if I were to find myself in a situation like that (like last week, when I couldn't spike well). I have a strength in receiving, and I can contribute to the team with that. I always think about what to do when my performance is not improving like this before the match, so I was able to go into today's match without being too hung up on the previous match. I was able to enter the match today in a pretty good mood, so it was a good experience for me. I think that such situations will come up more and more from now on, but I would like to always strive to be able to switch gears in such situations in the next match, or within the match.
--How do you feel looking back on the four games you've played in Italy so far?
Takahashi: (This season) I've been able to fight throughout the season and maintain my position as a starting member. I think this is because I gained the trust of the team's manager and teammates before the season started, so I think it's a great harvest and experience for me to have been able to achieve this. There are only four games this season, and we're currently at two wins and two losses, so I think the next game will be very important. The season is still long, but I really want to concentrate on each game and keep my mind on it.
What differences do you feel so far compared to last season?
Takahashi: Last year, I joined the team in December, so I felt a bit like a trainee, not like a visitor. Last year, I couldn't help it, so I really thought about what I could do in the four months (until the end of the season). But this season, I'm here from the start, so my feelings are different. I'm really going to fight this season full time. I'm going to win a spot in the starting lineup and really feel the Italian league. I think it's going to be very important how well I can play and how much I can grow throughout the season. I think it's really about my feelings, and how I'm really getting into it.
--In today's match, the crowd seemed to be the most excited when Takahashi scored a goal. What do you think about the Padua fans?
Takahashi: I really feel that the Italian league is very exciting, and I have been warmly supported by Padua fans and my own fans, so of course I want to live up to their expectations. Also, this year, a Japanese player, Takahashi Ai, has been here from the beginning, so I think the way the fans see and recognize the game is different from last year. I think that the Italian fans are aware of Japanese volleyball because we beat Italy in the national team season, the World Championships, and the VNL. I hope that they are happy that a Japanese player came to Italy to play this season. I feel that I am blessed with such great fans and that I am able to play volleyball in a good environment.
-Are there any players you are interested in who have played against you in the Italian League in the past or who will play against you in the future?
Takahashi: Yes. The players I'm interested in and want to keep in mind are the players of my generation. For example, Micheletto from the Italian national team. There are a lot of young players (in the Italian league this season), and I'm smaller than them in terms of size, but I want to show that there are other ways to fight. In terms of the part of my awareness, I think it's older players, such as Ishikawa from Japan, or Semeniuk (Poland) from Perugia, who was always putting in great serves today. There are a lot of players who are really role models and players I can steal (techniques), so I think that all of them will be good gains and experiences for me.
Photo: Author
Semeniuk's comments after the match can be found here:
English 
Japanese