Valdes should be at the top of the list for OPPs but the question of whether Manabe will call someone who isn't Japanese by blood still remains
I wouldn't think that Manabe is so old fashion that he sees that as a non-negotiable thing. Valdes said it herself she's dedicated to play for Japan. She's not in Japan in order to play for a different country. She should be considered by all means.
It's fine for Nagaoka to retire she's been through enough. Her goal should be to end the season in good condition and win with Hisamitsu. When Ishii released a book or magazine? she said she wants to stick around for a little longer with Hisamitsu.
The 2 girls I would like to see get called are Valdes and Yoshino Nishikawa. Toe has been doing well since the last time she was in the NT. She's certainly a better option now than Yamagishi and personally I think she is a lot better than Fukudome.
Nagaoka getting that VL MVP since what 2016? 
Valdes can't change how horrible PFU is. I wanna see her get picked up by one of the top 5 teams.
Ishikawa brother is the only Japanese player ever to have a successful career playing outside of Japan and in Italy no less. He never did V League went straight to Italy so he said he never learned the Japanese way which needless to say is better for players in the NT. Compare that to Yanagida who became mediocre in Germany and was eventually kicked off the NT despite being "Ryujin Royalty"
I think that may come after Paris 24. Idk but I have this odd feeling that Koga is uncertain whether to challenge herself or not. She said she thought about retiring after Tokyo and it took some persuasion from Manabe. Depending on the results, if she does decide to retire after Paris then I doubt she'll be going anywhere.
Koga is undoubtedly the best candidate and I'm sure there has been interests in her since VNL 2020 but like you said she may not want that anymore if she's set on ending her career after Paris.
She got injured at 2 major tournaments and wasn't able to fully play by WCh when it really mattered. We don't know how it'll turn out by next year leading to Paris. But I don't see playing outside Japan as a priority for her.
I thought Tokoku retired? she's helping Kudo at Denso.
Saga keeps Nakagawa because she keeps getting invited to the NT for some reason.
Did she?! my point is Nakagawa hasn't really grown further over the years. Maybe Saga is a bad fit for her but seeing her playing OH isn't helping her. She could go to NEC they need an OPP right. Sakai doesn't know what to do with her she's not a scoring machine nor a good defensive player.
I wonder why Saga ...or is it Sakai? who keeps going with Nakagawa? they could easily swap her for someone more interesting. Reina Tokoku doesn't seem to be playing for any club atm but even she's more promising than Nakagawa. Nakagawa was potential material in 2018 but that's clearly not the case anymore.
Bring back Kojima. Remove the Miyabes, Sato and Uchiseto. He should give up on those 2 uni rookies. Neither are going to be anything close to Ebata or Ran Takahashi.
Tugba for Mizuno
hard part with Japan in the libero position is passing for Japan (in any way serve receive and defense) is extremely important for any off their offense. As Japan relies too much on the left side attackers, I think the two libero system allows a player to rest especially with some long rallies (if they lose them).
with Uchiseto, I just feel it is square peg into a round hole. Just not going to work. She’s always been in the in between zone, good enough but not great with the national team.
Manabe insisted on switching her to libero when he could've tested other liberos aside from Fukudome. He could've even tested Miyashita for that position but I think as of the moment it seems she's the only reliable option.
Uchiseto is way too slow to be a libero.
Turkey NT for McDonalds
Their McDonalds commercial is cute
Chirichella for Nestle Fitness Cereal
Display MoreTBS headline says Hayashi is Manabe's fave as she should be
"Hayashi is the one hiding behind the two aces. A good defender, and also a good player popular with the general public. Everyone please pay attention to Hayashi" - Manabe
In a survey of the players before the World Volleyball Tournament, more than half of them selected Hayashi as their favorite player in Manabe Japan, showing that she has the trust of her teammates. Koga said of Hayashi, "She is the best in Japan, both in terms of play and visuals! Koga said of Hayashi. Libero Manami Kojima also commented, "She really is a craftsman! She always delivers a high performance, and that's just too good."
By 2 aces does that mean Koga and Inoue? What do they mean by visuals?
I don't think Hayashi is popular (yet) but I'm glad people noticed that she was the one saving Japan's ass with Koga while Manabe basically left her out during the VNL QF match with Brazil.
Remember when Toray first introduced Kulan, they accidentally used a photo of Koolhaas
tbf they strongly resemble each other
I think it may have been Miyashita's decision to give up her spot (again). I don't see it as Manabe's decision but her own. If she were really determined to play for this team I'm sure Manabe would give her a chance considering he hasn't dropped Yamagishi and Uchiseto yet. It's sad but I think we may not ever see her in the NT again after this.
Miyashita has been a mystery since after 2019. Fans speculated that she had some sort of conflict with Nakada or Nakada simply did not like her which isn't true. Perhaps it's always been Miyashita who wasn't really showing any kind of fighting spirit or what the Japanese call "GUTS" maybe Manabe sensed that too or Miyashita herself withdrew voluntarily
Display MoreMaret Grothues quits the national team after 14 years and 392(!) caps.
As expected, but her defensive and passing qualities would still have been very useful at the world champs
https://www.volleybal.nl/nieuw…grothues-stopt-bij-oranje
Thanks Maret
She endured a lot of injuries throughout her career but she had a good run
Do you know if she has any plans on coaching? will she still be active in the volleyball scene?
Is Anastasija Popovic still with UOK?
Also I saw it trended on twitter that figureskater Yuzuru Hanyu announced his retirement. Good thing JVA called dibs on his coaches right away. It's a battle for his staff in Japan even down to his managers.
