Yujo means “friendship” in Japanese, and the YUJO volleyball tournament, true to its name, really showcases how we can create strong bonds while competing across different schools. Along with the host ASIJ, the schools that attended were Kadena, Kinnick, CAJ, Seisen, FIS, Yokota, Kubasaki, Harrow (Hong Kong), Zama, SJA, KIST (South Korea), YIS, and SMIS. The games were held on October 1-3.
While no ASIJ teams won in their brackets, all played exceptionally well. We got to see both our varsity teams, along with the girls’ JV, proceed to the championship on Saturday. At the end of the third day, spectators gathered to see an amazing match: Saint Johnsbury Academy (SJA) vs. ASIJ Boys’ Varsity, for the overall win. ASIJ got off to a strong start, taking the first set 25-16. However, SJA responded in the second, battling to a 25-21 win and forcing a deciding third set. In a close final, SJA won 15-11, securing the tournament title. While this was disappointing, anyone who was there in the aftermath would have to admit that our team had great spirit, even in a loss.
A memorable moment was the great victory of the ASIJ Girls’ JV team in an early game over the eventual tournament champion, Kadena. Despite losing the first set, the JV team pushed through and won the second set. With that momentum, they also won the third set.
“When the JV team won the last set, the whole gym erupted in cheers,” said a spectator of the game. The gym was reportedly filled with energy and indescribable emotions. “We were so proud of ourselves because we won against a varsity team,” said Olivia Kurosawa from the JV team. The game was significant for the players, spectators, and many others because of the unexpected, extraordinary win over the tournament’s best team.
ASIJ loves volleyball, and YUJO really makes Spirit Week as uniting as it is. As we close the season, we look back on both the joyous winning swarms that we saw in the ASIJ JV vs. Kadena Varsity match and the condolence swarms we saw at the end of the boys’ final. School spirit has never been more visible, in wins and in losses.
