Kurashiki Ablaze

Kurashiki Ablaze
Crest
Founded2019
ManagerHideo Suzuki
CaptainSaya Taniguchi
LeagueV.League
2024–25TBD
WebsiteClub home page
Uniforms
Home
Away
Championships
1
2024 PVL Invitational Conference

The Kurashiki Ablaze (倉敷アブレイズ, Kurashiki Abureizu) is a Japanese professional women's volleyball team from Kurashiki, Okayama which plays in the V.League, the second-tier volleyball league in Japan.

History

[edit]

It is a volleyball club from Kurashiki City, Okayama, Japan founded in 2019.[1] Kurashiki Ablaze is operated by Ablaze Co., Ltd. that is located in Minamiune, Kurashiki, Okayama.[2]

Kurashiki won bronze medal in 13th National 6-Person Final League & Grand Champion Match Awards in Japan.[3]

They debuted at the V.League for the 2023–24 season after being given an S3 license in October 2022.[4]

They would join the Premier Volleyball League in the Philippines as one of the two foreign guest teams for the 2023 Invitational Conference.[5][6][7] They also beat the undefeated 6 year semi finals no loss place of Creamline Cool Smashers.[8][9] Kurashiki won their first title in the PVL against the Creamline Cool Smashers in five-set match.[10] After the awards ceremony, Kurashiki helped to clean the PhilSports Arena that caught the attention of the Creamline Cool Smashers team manager Alan Acero.[11] They would return in 2024 to defend their PVL Invitation Conference crown.[12][13] They however would finish third place.[14]

They are also set to play in the 2024–25 season of the V.League, which saw its division two and three merged.[15][16]

Team image

[edit]

The meaning of ABLAZE to the team refers to "passion", "excitement", and "burning".[17]

Current roster

[edit]
Main article: 2024 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference

These are the players for the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.[18][19]

Kurashiki Ablaze
No. Player Position Height Birth date School
1 Japan Wako Omura Setter 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) Okayama Minami High School
2 Japan Saya Taniguchi (C) Opposite Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2000-08-12) 12 August 2000 (age 24) Kyoto Tachibana University
3 Japan Kyoka Ohshima Setter 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1998-02-02) 2 February 1998 (age 26) Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education
4 Japan Sayaka Tanida Outside Hitter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-10-31) 31 October 2000 (age 24) Seishin Girl's High School
7 Japan Ayane Wanatabe Libero 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) (2002-11-03) 3 November 2002 (age 21) Seiei High School
9 Japan Kaoru Takahashi Libero 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
10 Japan Yukino Yano Outside Hitter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) Nagasaki International University
12 Japan Asaka Tamaru Opposite Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1998-08-04) 4 August 1998 (age 26) Kyoto Sangyo University
13 Japan Miho Kawamura Middle Blocker 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25) Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences
14 Japan Reina Fujiwara Opposite Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1997-10-25) 25 October 1997 (age 27) International Pacific University
15 Malaysia Low Mei Cing Middle Blocker 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) (1996-01-17) 17 January 1996 (age 28) National Taiwan Normal University
16 Japan Saki Tanabe Opposite Hitter 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) (1999-03-30) 30 March 1999 (age 25) National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya
17 Japan Kokoro Takio Opposite Hitte 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2001-11-19) 19 November 2001 (age 22) Mukogawa Women's University
18 Japan Nana Fujimura Libero 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) (2004-12-14) 14 December 2004 (age 19) Okayama Minami High School
22 Japan Honoka Doi Opposite Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2005-05-15) 15 May 2005 (age 19) Seiei High School
23 Japan Mami Gondo Middle Blocker 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Coaching staff

Previous roster

[edit]
2023–24
Main article: 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference
These are the players for 2023/2024:
Kurashiki Ablaze
No. Player Position Height Birth date School
1 Japan Wako Omura Setter 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) Okayama Minami High School
2 Japan Saya Taniguchi Opposite Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2000-08-12) 12 August 2000 (age 24) Kyoto Tachibana University
3 Japan Kyoka Ohshima(C) Setter 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1998-02-02) 2 February 1998 (age 26) Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education
4 Japan Sayaka Tanida Outside Hitter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-10-31) 31 October 2000 (age 24) Seishin Girl's High School
5 Japan Momoka Yashimiro Libero 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
7 Japan Ayane Wanatabe Libero 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) (2002-11-03) 3 November 2002 (age 21) Seiei High School
9 Japan Kaoru Takahashi Libero 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
10 Japan Yukino Yano Outside Hitter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) Nagasaki International University
11 Japan Akane Hiraoka Middle Blocker 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1999-11-04) 4 November 1999 (age 24) Fukuyama Heisei University
12 Japan Asaka Tamaru Opposite Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1998-08-04) 4 August 1998 (age 26) Kyoto Sangyo University
13 Japan Miho Kawamura Middle Blocker 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25) Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences
16 Japan Saki Tanabe Opposite Hitter 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) (1999-03-30) 30 March 1999 (age 25) National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya
17 Japan Mihaya Hata Middle Blocker 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2002-09-11) 11 September 2002 (age 22) Eimei High School
18 Japan Reina Fujiwara Opposite Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1997-10-25) 25 October 1997 (age 27) International Pacific University
20 Japan Nana Fujimura Libero 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) (2004-12-14) 14 December 2004 (age 19) Okayama Minami High School
23 Japan Honoka Okuda Libero 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2003-07-19) 19 July 2003 (age 21) Okayama Minami High School

Coaching staff

2022–23
Kurashiki Ablaze
No. Player Position Height Birth date School
1 Japan Wako Omura Setter 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) Okayama Minami High School
2 Japan Saya Taniguchi Opposite Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2000-08-12) 12 August 2000 (age 24) Kyoto Tachibana University
3 Japan Kyoka Ohshima(C) Setter 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1998-02-02) 2 February 1998 (age 26) Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education
4 Japan Sayaka Tanida Outside Hitter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-10-31) 31 October 2000 (age 24) Seishin Girl's High School
5 Japan Momoka Yashimiro Libero 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
6 Japan Asuka Kuwabura Libero 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1999-10-09) 9 October 1999 (age 25) Nagano Bunka Gakuen High School
7 Japan Hikari Niguma Opposite Hitter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (1997-01-03) 3 January 1997 (age 27) N/A
9 Japan Kaoru Takahashi Libero 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
10 Japan Yukino Yano Middle Blocker 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1999-11-04) 4 November 1999 (age 24) Nagasaki International University
11 Japan Akane Hiraoka Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) Fukuyama Heisei University
13 Japan Miho Kawamura Middle Blocker 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25) Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences
14 Japan Sachiyo Takahashi Middle Blocker 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1983-11-04) 4 November 1983 (age 40) N/A
15 Japan Asaka Tamaru Opposite Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) Kyoto Sangyo University
16 Japan Kumiko Matsubara Libero 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) (1987-05-08) 8 May 1987 (age 37) N/A
17 Japan Mihaya Hata Middle Blocker 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2002-09-11) 11 September 2002 (age 22) Eimei High School
18 Japan Reina Fujiwara Libero 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1997-10-25) 25 October 1997 (age 27) International Pacific University
19 Japan Ayane Watanabe Libero 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) (2002-11-03) 3 November 2002 (age 21) Seiei High School
20 Japan Nana Fujimura Libero 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) (2004-12-14) 14 December 2004 (age 19) Okayama Minami High School
21 Philippines Carrie Ann Pronuevo Outside Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 26) Polytechnic University of the Philippines
22 Philippines Javen Sabas Outside Hitter 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (1999-01-31) 31 January 1999 (age 25) Polytechnic University of the Philippines
23 Japan Honoka Okuda Libero 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2003-07-19) 19 July 2003 (age 21) Okayama Minami High School

Coaching staff

2021–22
Kurashiki Ablaze
No. Player Position Height Birth date School
1 Japan Wako Omura Setter 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) Okayama Minami High School
2 Japan Ruka Matsushima Setter 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1997-12-17) 17 December 1997 (age 26) Kobe Shinwa Women's University
3 Japan Kyoka Ohshima(C) Setter 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1998-02-02) 2 February 1998 (age 26) Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education
4 Japan Sayaka Tanida Outside Hitter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-10-31) 31 October 2000 (age 24) Seishin Girl's High School
5 Japan Momoka Yashimiro Libero 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) (1998-09-20) 20 September 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
6 Japan Asuka Kuwabura Libero 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1999-10-09) 9 October 1999 (age 25) Nagano Bunka Gakuen High School
7 Japan Hikari Niguma Opposite Hitter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (1997-01-03) 3 January 1997 (age 27) N/A
9 Japan Kaoru Takahashi Libero 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) Chūgoku Gakuen University
11 Japan Akane Hiraoka Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24) Fukuyama Heisei University
13 Japan Miho Kawamura Middle Blocker 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25) Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences
14 Japan Sachiyo Takahashi Middle Blocker 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1983-11-04) 4 November 1983 (age 40) N/A
15 Japan Asaka Tamaru Opposite Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 (age 26) Kyoto Sangyo University
16 Japan Kumiko Matsubara Libero 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) (1987-05-08) 8 May 1987 (age 37) N/A
17 Japan Mihaya Hata Middle Blocker 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (2002-09-11) 11 September 2002 (age 22) Eimei High School
18 Japan Reina Fujiwara Libero 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1997-10-25) 25 October 1997 (age 27) International Pacific University
19 Japan Ayane Watanabe Libero 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in) (2002-11-03) 3 November 2002 (age 21) Seiei High School
20 Japan Rina Okabayashi Libero 1.48 m (4 ft 10 in) N/A N/A
21 Philippines Carrie Ann Pronuevo Outside Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 26) Polytechnic University of the Philippines
22 Philippines Javen Sabas Outside Hitter 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (1999-01-31) 31 January 1999 (age 25) Polytechnic University of the Philippines
23 Japan Honoka Okuda Libero 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) (2003-07-19) 19 July 2003 (age 21) Okayama Minami High School

Coaching staff

Honors

[edit]

Team

[edit]
Season Conference Title Source
2023 PVL Invitational Conference Champions [20]
2024–25 2024 PVL Invitational Conference 3rd place [14]
V.League (Japan) [to be determined]

Individual

[edit]
Season Conference Award Name Source
2023 PVL Invitational Conference Finals MVP Kyoka Ohshima [21]
[22]
1st Best Outside Spiker Asaka Tamaru
2024 PVL Invitational Conference Best Opposite Spiker Saya Taniguchi [23]
2nd Best Middle Blocker Low Mei Cing

Foreign players

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kurashiki Ablaze » rosters". Women Volleybox. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  2. ^ "練習場所・設備 | 岡山の女子バレーボールチーム 倉敷アブレイズ". kurashiki-ablaze.jp. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. ^ "13th National 6-Person Final League & Grand Champion Match Awards". Women Volleybox. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  4. ^ "倉敷アブレイズについて" [About Kurashiki Ablaze]. Kurashiki Ablaze (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  5. ^ Javier, Nikole. "Japanese, Vietnamese club teams join PVL Invitationals". Manila Bulletin.
  6. ^ Masoy, Niel Victor C. (25 July 2023). "Kurashiki moves on cusp of finals berth, boots out F2, Cignal, Kinh Bac". The Manila Times.
  7. ^ Basco, Karl Cedrick. "PVL: Kurashiki sets sight on last Finals berth vs PLDT". ABS-CBN.
  8. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (28 July 2023). "PVL: Kurashiki Ablaze end Creamline's unbeaten run ahead of their title showdown". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Kurashiki deals Creamline its first loss ahead of PVL title showdown". Spin.ph. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Kurashiki Ablaze dethrones Creamline in thrilling PVL finale". Spin.ph. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Kurashiki helps in Philsports cleanup after ceremony". pvl.ph. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  12. ^ Escarlote, Mark (3 August 2023). "Kurashiki returning next year – Welcome to Tribune Sports!". Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  13. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (4 August 2023). "Kurashiki Ablaze to return to PVL to defend Invitationals title next season". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b Dannug, Jonash (12 September 2024). "Kurashiki in unison: Filipino teams have embraced Japanese style, making PVL tougher". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  15. ^ "2024-25 V.LEAGUE WOMENの開催要項・試合日程が決定しました！". Kurashiki Ablaze (in Japanese). Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  16. ^ Valencia, Justin (4 September 2024). "Kurashiki aims to ignite passion for volleyball among Filipino youth in PVL title defense". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  17. ^ "倉敷アブレイズについて | 岡山の女子バレーボールチーム 倉敷アブレイズ". kurashiki-ablaze.jp. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  18. ^ "P-2 for match 1: EST-KUR" (PDF). PVL INVITATIONAL 2024. Premier Volleyball League. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Kurashiki Ablaze - Teams". Premier Volleyball League. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  20. ^ Basco, Karl Cedrick (31 July 2023). "PVL: Kurashiki dethrones Creamline, claims Invitational crown". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  21. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (30 July 2023). "Cignal's Ces Molina crowned 2023 PVL Invitational MVP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  22. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (30 July 2023). "Kurashiki setter Kyoka Ohshima named PVL Invitationals Finals MVP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  23. ^ Agcaoili, Lance (12 September 2024). "Creamline's Michele Gumabao is PVL Invitationals MVP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  24. ^ "No barrier too big for volleyball player Mei Cing as she spices it up in Japan". The Star. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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