高校生で日本代表の選手も　女子バレー東九州龍谷「チームファースト」でインターハイ制覇へ　大分

The Inter-High School Championships, a major high school sports event, are about to begin, and we'd like to introduce Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku High School's girls' volleyball team, aiming for the top spot in this tournament. Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku High School from Nakatsu City has secured its place in the Inter-High School Championships after winning the prefectural high school championships for the 26th consecutive time and 41st time overall. The team captain is Rio Chuganji. Standing at 182 cm tall, she is considered the "number one player of her generation" for her combination of high offensive and defensive skills, and was selected for the Japanese national team in 2026 while still in high school. ◆Rio Chuganji, Captain of the Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku High School Volleyball Club "Now that I've been selected (for the national team), I think I need to be fully aware of my responsibilities, but first and foremost, I think achieving results as a team is my top priority." Chuganji's motto is "Team First." The reason for this lies in the Spring High School Volleyball Tournament in January 2026. Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku clashed with Kinran Kai, the eventual champions, in the semi-finals of that tournament. After a full set, they shed tears of frustration. ◆Rio Chuganji (then a second-year student) "I want to work hard for another year so that I don't experience the same frustration of losing by just two points next year." To overcome this disappointment, the team is further refining their signature "high-speed volleyball" style. The key player in this is third-year setter Hagumi Yoshimura. In junior high school, she was selected for the Japanese national team for players under 16 and won the Best Setter Award at the Asian Championships. Her strengths are her fast and accurate tosses. ◆Hagumi Yoshimura, 3rd year, Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku High School Volleyball Club "I'm the one who speaks up about the game, saying things like, 'Let's stay calm,' or 'There's an open space here, let's attack here,' so I want to play calmly while still getting passionate." Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku has achieved numerous great feats, including five consecutive Spring High School Volleyball Championships and two national triple crowns. However, they haven't been number one in Japan since 2020. ◆Rio Chuganji, 3rd year, captain of the Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku High School volleyball team "I think everyone has a strong desire to seriously aim for the national championship. I want to fully fulfill my role and make this a team that can achieve solid results." To revive its prestigious reputation... Higashi Kyushu Ryukoku will compete in the Inter-High School Championships in Shiga Prefecture in August, aiming to become the national champion.