University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Volleyball Invited to Compete in Japan
11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Ajinomoto National Training Center
The University of Minnesota volleyball team has accepted an invitation to compete at the National Training Center in Tokyo, Japan, from March 14-22, 2015. The Golden Gophers will face the All-Japan University Team, which will represent their country in this year's World University Games.
"We're excited and grateful to have the opportunity to go to Japan and play," Gopher volleyball head coach Hugh McCutcheon said. "We want to thank the Japan Volleyball Association for this invitation. Knowing the benefits of international competition, we feel extremely fortunate to compete and train at the Japan National Training Center. It's an amazing opportunity for our program."
Minnesota is the only United States collegiate team to ever be invited to Japan's National Training Center. This is the second time in Minnesota history that the Gopher program will compete in Japan, the first coming in August 1998.
"We're very happy to have the University of Minnesota travel to Japan and compete here," Yuko Arakida, Chairperson of the National Teams' Commission of the Japan Volleyball Association said. "Our men's and women's senior national teams have a very close relationship with USA teams, in particular with Hugh McCutcheon, when he was the national team coach. One of our coaches, Koichiro Kanno, is currently in residence at Minnesota as we wanted him to learn the game under Hugh. We admire his leadership and coaching abilities, and are very grateful to him for accepting Koichiro. Along with our relationship with the program, Minnesota sends numerous players to the national team and we believe it's beneficial for our national teams to compete against them. We look forward to the competition and welcome the team to Japan."
The National Training Center is a state-of-the-art facility which supports the training for over 10 Olympic programs. It boasts numerous amenities including a swimming pool, indoor tennis courts and weight training as well as an Athlete's Village. Athletic training/sport medicine facilities and team meeting areas will also be made available to the Gophers. Built in January 2008, Japanese Olympic athletes prepared for the 2008 Beijing and London Olympics at this facility.
The Gopher student-athletes are eager for the international competition in March.
"When the coaches told us we have been given this opportunity, it was hard to contain our excitement," junior Daly Santana said. "I have been to Japan before, but this will be a whole new experience to go with Minnesota. It gives us a chance to compete at a different level and I'm looking forward to see how we'll perform."
"When Hugh started talking about the potential of this trip, it was hard not to think about what an incredible adventure it would be," sophomore Sarah Wilhite said. "It's another chance to spend more time with the team and work on our skills. We'll be playing against a different style than most of us have experienced and it gives us a taste of what international competition will be like. I have never been to Japan so I'm thrilled for this great opportunity."
