Japan Announces 29 Player Women’s National Team Roster for 2018

On March 19th, the Japanese Volleyball Association (JVA) announced the Women’s National Team roster for the 2018 season. The roster is very Hisamitsu Springs centered with nine players off the V.League Champions. Amazingly the only spot where the Springs do not have a player is at setter. One big question is Miyu Nagaoka who did not play all season for the Springs while recovering from an injury from 2017’s V.League playoffs. She is the best opposite that Japan has, but Mari Horikawa is exact replica as she is left handed and plays opposite. Even with that said, many of the Hisamitsu outside hitters are interchangable to the opposite position.

The biggest surprises off the team are libero Arisa Sato, who has been on the team since 2013 and setter Misaki Tanaka. Tanaka’s team finished second in the V.League this season, but head coach Kumi Nakata brought back setter Kanami Tashiro, who was part of the national team in 2016.

This big roster is built for the 2018 World Championships to be held in Japan in September and October. Nakata has already told the press that in order to make the Third Round, Japan cannot lose a match in the First Round of the tournament. Nakata will need to shrink the roster before the tournament, but the Volleyball Nations League will allow her to do that.

Setters

• Haruka Miyashita, Okayama Seagulls
• Miya Sato, Hitachi Rivale
• Kanami Tashiro, Toray Arrows
• Koyomi Tominaga, Ageo Medics

Outside Hitters & Opposites

• Shiori Aratani, NEC Red Rockets
• Mari Horikawa, Toray Arrows
• Yuka Imamura, Hisamitsu Springs
• Arisa Inoue, Hisamitsu Springs
• Yuki Ishii, Hisamitsu Springs
• Sarina Koga, NEC Red Rockets
• Ai Kurogo, Toray Arrows
• Yurie Nabeya, Denso Airybees
• Miyu Nagaoka, Hisamitsu Springs
• Miyu Nakagawa, Hisamitsu Springs
• Rika Nomoto, Hisamitsu Springs
• Risa Shinnabe, Hisamitsu Springs
• Saori Takahashi, Toyota Auto Body Queenseis
• Mami Uchiseto, Golem Hermaea Olbia

Middle Blockers

• Erika Araki, Toyota Auto Body Queenseis
• Aika Akutagawa, JT Marvelous
• Nana Iwasaka, Hisamitsu Springs
• Ayaka Matsumoto, Ageo Medics
• Mai Okumura, JT Marvelous
• Haruyo Shimamura, NEC Red Rockets

Liberos

• Kotoe Inoue, JT Marvelous
• Mako Kobata, JT Marvelous
• Yumi Nakagawa, Toray Arrows
• Mana Toe, Hisamitsu Springs
• Akane Yamagishi, Ageo Medics