“Putting feelings into the ball–“
Marina Hasegawa: The Power to Believe and the Heart to Support

Interviewer: Staff – Aoki / Interviewee: Marina Hasegawa (長谷川まりな)/ Translated by Staff – Masuda

Marina Hasegawa, a team mood-maker who connects teammates with her smile and trust. Her journey in volleyball, which began with admiration for her mother’s back, is now starting to shine anew on the stage of the Suiran Griffins. Studying in the Faculty of Education while dedicating herself fully to daily practices, games, and university life, she naturally radiates an appeal that makes you want to cheer her on. This time, we’ll bring you a glimpse into her true self and her feelings for the fans who support her.

■ From a Small Admiration — A Volleyball Journey Begun with My Mother

Aoki: First, please tell us what made you start playing volleyball.
Hasegawa: My mother was a former volleyball player, and I often went to watch her games with her when I was little. Watching my mother on the court, I naturally started to think, “I want to run around the court like that too!” At home, I’d play with the ball with my mother, mimicking attacks, so volleyball was always a familiar presence around me.
Aoki: So you admired volleyball from the start! Do you remember when you first began?
Hasegawa: I started attending a local mini-volleyball class when I was in elementary school. At first, my serves wouldn’t even reach, and I couldn’t handle the ball well at all. I was so frustrated that I even cried on the way home sometimes. But my mother told me, “No one is good from the beginning. It’s okay as long as you don’t forget the feeling of being able to say ‘Nice!'” It made me so happy when my mother said “Nice!” even for small things, and I naturally smiled and felt like I could continue.
Aoki: So you had someone supporting you from a young age. Are there any particular episodes with your mother that stand out in your memory?
Hasegawa: In my first official game, I was incredibly nervous, and my body just froze before I was about to serve. At that moment, during a timeout, my mother came close to the bench and told me, “Just don’t forget to smile.” Those words instantly lightened my mood, and I was able to play with all my might. Even now, before important matches, I remember those words to compose myself.

■ Days with Suiran Griffins — A Place for Mutual Support and Growth

Aoki: Please tell us about the Suiran Griffins, where you currently belong.
Hasegawa: The Suiran Griffins is a place that allows me to grow not only in skill but also through the warmth of human relationships. There’s an atmosphere where teammates immediately call out “Don’t mind!” if someone makes a mistake, and I feel like we understand each other’s feelings even during games. After practice, discussions naturally begin with questions like “What could we have done better in that situation?” It’s a team filled with a positive atmosphere.
Aoki: I hear that Yuka Yamamoto is also your university classmate?
Hasegawa: That’s right. We’re in the same Faculty of Education, and we take several classes together. Sometimes we secretly talk about volleyball during lectures (laughs). During exam periods, we encourage each other, “Let’s study after practice!”, enjoying both university life and volleyball. I feel that both university and the team are important to me, thanks to friends like Yuka and others around me.
Aoki: Balancing both must be tough, but how do you manage it?
Hasegawa: If I were alone, I might have given up. But because I have teammates who say, “Let’s do our best together,” I can approach both practice and classes positively. We do light strength training between classes, and after practice, we watch game videos and give each other advice. I can believe in these daily accumulations precisely because of this environment.

■ As a Setter — Trusting the Ball Without Hesitation

Aoki: What are your thoughts on the setter position?
Hasegawa: I believe the setter is the “helmsman” of the team. The flow of the game can change with just one toss selection, so I always have to remain calm. But at the same time, I want to be someone who can give my opponents a sense of security, making them feel “I can leave it to her.”
Aoki: In the midst of that pressure, what efforts do you make to make decisions without hesitation?
Hasegawa: During practice, I focus on “playing as if it’s the real thing.” To train my decision-making speed, I take responsibility for my tosses even in practice. I believe that what I believe in leads to my teammates’ confidence.
Aoki: Trust with your teammates is also important, isn’t it?
Hasegawa: It’s truly significant. For example, Misaki (Misaki Kawabata) tells me, “I’ll spike any toss, so don’t hesitate to set it!” When she says that, I feel at ease and can toss with confidence. I believe it’s because of such relationships that the team’s power can be maximized.

■ Social Media and Fans — Feeling the Power of Connection

Aoki: I heard you’ve recently been putting effort into social media.
Hasegawa: Yes, I want to convey the charm of volleyball and our daily lives to as many people as possible, so I try to post as frequently as I can. I was nervous at first, but after receiving comments like “I’m looking forward to your posts!”, it has now become one of my important habits.
Aoki: Do you have any memorable episodes from your interactions with cheering fans?
Hasegawa: Yes, someone posted a picture of my smile during a game on social media and sent a message saying, “Seeing this smile makes me feel energized.” At that moment, I truly felt “There are people watching me,” and I almost teared up. Since then, I’ve become even more conscious of always smiling, no matter what.
Aoki: So the connection with fans is also a driving force for you, isn’t it?
Hasegawa: That’s right. Honestly, there are times when things don’t go well and I feel down. But when I receive messages like “We’re cheering for you” and “Good luck” through social media, it gives me so much energy. Thanks to everyone who supports me, I can believe in myself and move forward again.

■ Towards the Future — A Player Who Can Brighten Someone’s Tomorrow

Aoki: What are your future goals?
Hasegawa: As a setter, I want to further refine my judgment and vision. My goal is to be able to create momentum with my own play. And I hope to become a presence that can bring a sense of security to the team, both on and off the court.
Aoki: What kind of player do you envision yourself becoming in the future?
Hasegawa: I want to be told, “I feel secure when Marina sets the ball.” Not just in terms of skill, but also as someone who can support my teammates emotionally. And I want to become a player who can brighten the hearts of those watching, even just a little.
Aoki: Finally, please say a word to all the fans who are supporting you!
Hasegawa: Thank you so much, always! The words of encouragement I receive at game venues and on social media are a huge support for me. I hope to continue growing step by step, never forgetting my gratitude. May I be able to bring even a little energy and smiles to everyone who watches over us.

With gratitude to my supportive teammates and fans, I move forward, one step at a time, naturally —
Marina Hasegawa’s challenge has only just begun.
▶ Next time, we will deliver an interview with the staff who support the team behind the scenes. Please look forward to it.