PFU Blue Cats’ Ishikawa and Kawazoe Reflect on the Joy of Playing with Spikes

FRIDAY Sports Nonfiction
In the Women’s SV League All-Star Game, she was awarded MVP!

The volleyball world’s new star, Miyu Kawasaki (PFU BlueCats, Ishikawa Kahoku, 23), is attracting attention with her stunning beauty, making her one of the top players in the V.League women’s division.

“Please strike a pose!”

Even with the photographer’s slightly excessive requests, Miyu Kawazoe responds without a hint of reluctance. When she smiles, the surrounding atmosphere brightens. Mimicking her team’s mascot, a cat, she says “Nyaa” (meow) and faces the camera. Using a somewhat cliché expression, her visual impact is devastatingly beautiful.

However, Kawazoe is not just a volleyball player known for her cuteness.

During her time at Fukuoka University, she led the team as an outside hitter, helping them secure third place at the All Japan Intercollegiate Championship. She also received the Best Scorer award. Her powerful spikes, characterized by high jumps and clever techniques, remained a weapon even in her first season of the SV League. An all-around player, she is capable of plays as gritty as a libero’s reception or selfless block-following, always putting the team first.

Some might compare her to Ai Takahashi of the women’s league. When asked about this, Kawazoe immediately and firmly denied it.

But there are similarities. Both were born in the same year and month, and both play in the same position. Above all, like Takahashi, who received the MVP at the SV League All-Star Game last January, Kawazoe is a star who shines on the big stage without hesitation, drawing attention.

For the explosive popularity of the SV League Women’s Division, stars like Kawazoe are eagerly awaited.

“I want to make PFU a team that can reach the championship.”

“I’m good at hitting diagonally and I enjoy it, but from now on, I want to widen my spike range.”

Reflecting on her first year in the V.League, Kawasaki says: “My attack success rate, serve-receive success rate, and serve efficiency were all above the league average. However, after the All-Star Game, I think I became more closely guarded, and I often found that my favorite hitting angles were shut down.”

“It became more common for my shots not to land. But I think my mental strength has grown. Compared to college, the V.League has a different level of height, and there were many moments where I was made to realize that my attacks just won’t work. But instead of thinking negatively, I started to think, ‘Okay, I’ll work harder on my dig (spike reception),’ and I began to look at it in a more positive light.”

Kawasaki, from Omura City in Nagasaki Prefecture, was a setter until the second year of junior high. After that, she played as a middle blocker until high school graduation, and when she entered university, she switched to outside hitter. Having experienced multiple positions, her utility skills started to stand out. At 170 cm, she is on the shorter side in the V.League, but that doesn’t faze her. Just like Yūki Ishikawa and Takahashi confidently battle against much taller foreign players, volleyball is a sport where height differences can be overcome.

“(Kotoha Hayashi, who also participated in the Paris Olympics and is 25) is about the same height as me. She can receive and spike with great finesse, so I think she’s similar to me, and I’ve been using her as a reference!”

There are many who expect Kawasaki to make it to the national team, but she remains grounded, focused more on leading her team to the championship than thinking about the national team’s future.

“I have a strong desire to make PFU a team that can reach the championship. If we win, I’d be satisfied enough to retire from volleyball (laughs).”

Throughout the interview, Kawasaki answered the questions modestly.

“I’m often told that I’m calm and that I ‘don’t show much emotion.’ When I was a student, not only was I never confessed to, but the boys were actually scared of me (laughs).”

She says this openly, likely living her life without pretense. There’s even a story where she showed up at the All-Star Game without makeup, causing some to be astonished, but for her, she was simply standing on the stage as a 100% volleyball player.

Insights gained from the disaster-affected areas

In Ishikawa Prefecture, where Kawasaki plays, a major earthquake struck in January of last year. Although Kawasaki was not affected as she had not yet joined the team, as part of the team, she visited elementary schools in Noto and interacted with the children in the disaster-stricken areas.

“I got to hold a volleyball clinic. We did some receiving drills together, and with the older kids, I even spiked the ball with them. They really seemed to enjoy spiking, and it felt just like me. Instead of me encouraging them, it was the kids who encouraged me with ‘Do your best!’”

Kawasaki said this in a gentle tone.

For her, there is a memory that naturally softens her expression when she recalls it. It was when she was in 5th grade. That day, she spiked the ball for the first time, and it was returned to her opponent’s court. That moment brought her immense happiness, and with excitement, she rushed home to share the joy with her mother. That instant is where her passion for volleyball began.

“I remember proudly telling my mother about it (laughs). She said, ‘That’s great!’ and praised me.”

Kawasaki spoke with a slight smile and a hint of embarrassment.

“I started volleyball in 3rd grade. My older brother, who played in the V.League until last season, was on the elementary school team, and my dad was the coach. Since it was a mixed-gender team, I naturally played with the boys. At first, it was tough, and I couldn’t do much, but it was fun when I finally started to succeed. The most exciting part was when I learned how to spike.”

Spiking became her essential skill to live as a professional player.

“My dad watches every match. When I don’t play well or when things aren’t going right, he sends me advice. I don’t get many compliments. Since turning pro, he’s been very tough on me, like telling me, ‘You’re not jumping at all,’ or ‘You’re lacking in height.’ But I listen to everything honestly (laughs).”

With her nonchalant attitude, it’s clear that she possesses inner strength. Perhaps it’s this confidence that allows her to shine as a spiker.

Creating a Story on the Court

Currently living in the team’s dormitory, Kawasaki is a fan of Japanese breakfast. When afternoon practices are off, she looks forward to going to the hot springs with her teammates a few times a week. Her favorite food is taiyaki, and at the famous conveyor-belt sushi restaurant Mori Mori Sushi in Kanazawa, she fell in love with the salmon.

Lately, she finds comfort in watching Studio Ghibli films on DVD. Howl’s Moving Castle is her absolute favorite. She’s captivated by the fantasy world where, when you open a door, a different world unfolds and impossible things happen.

On the court, Kawasaki creates her own story.

“I love the flow of volleyball—when a teammate sets up the ball, and I’m the one who finishes it. The joy of that has only grown stronger for me.”

Her untainted desire gives her wings. The second year in the V.League is something to look forward to.

From the May 30, 2025 issue of “FRIDAY”