Hyogo's youthful resilience shines despite winless campaign

Hyogo, the Japanese guest team in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, bowed out winless on Friday but left with high regard for the significant improvement of local teams since their first stint in the league.

This year’s Hyogo squad, KondohGumi, was the youngest team in the semifinals, showcasing flashes of brilliance despite being swept by formidable foes FEU-DN Steel, Savouge, Cignal, and Criss Cross. For a team composed entirely of first-timers on an international stage, their performance reflected potential and promise.

Hyogo's journey this year was a far cry from their debut in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Invitational, where they competed under the name Maruichi and clinched bronze after a hard-fought five-set victory against Saints and Lattes-Letran, 20-25, 25-16, 25-21, 22-25, 15-11. That 2023 squad, led by experienced players like Yuji Kawagoe, Kyosuke Kashimoto, and Hinata Kuroda, had set a high bar for the club’s return.

This time, the young KondohGumi lineup embraced the challenge with a median age of just 19.7, consisting of collegiate players from Hyogo Prefecture. They showed glimpses of their potential, with wing spikers Kaito Onomichi and Ryouma Kakimoto standing out as the team’s most promising talents.

“Compared to last year, the local teams are much better, they are stronger,” said Hyogo head coach Kunichika Kota through a translator.

Kota emphasized how the experience provided valuable lessons for his youthful squad. “This is the first time for all our players to go abroad and play this level of volleyball, so we really learned a lot of things here in the Spikers’ Turf,” he added.

Despite their winless campaign, Kota expressed a strong desire to return for a third straight year in 2025. The Japanese mentor vowed to come back with a more competitive squad.

“If we would have a chance, we will select the best players and try to get that championship next year,” Kota declared.

While KondohGumi may not have replicated their podium finish from 2023, their journey in this year’s Invitational was a testament to the growth of the sport and the enduring spirit of young athletes hungry to compete on the international stage.

Hyogo’s participation was more than just a showcase of talent—it was a bridge of camaraderie and competition that elevated both the visiting and local teams.