Japan high school volleyball regional qualifiers begin

Regional qualifying tournaments for the All Japan High School Volleyball Championship, commonly known as Haruko Volleyball, are set to commence on October 31. The competitions aim to determine the representatives from various prefectures to compete in the national tournament held in Tokyo every January.

In Kochi Prefecture, Kochi Chuo High School enters the qualifiers as a dominant force, seeking its 12th appearance in the national tournament. The team features international talent, including Dominican Republic U18 representative Karoline and sophomore Crystal, who boasts a maximum reach of 314 cm. The team is led by captain Misaki Maegawa.

In Tochigi Prefecture, the final qualifying rounds for both men and women are scheduled for October 31 and November 3. The tournament features 12 teams in each category competing for a spot in the national championship.