Former College of Southern Idaho volleyball star Airi Miyabe is set to represent Japan at the Paris Olympics this summer. Miyabe, a standout player during her time at CSI, joins Japan’s Olympic volleyball team as one of the 12 athletes selected for the 2024 squad.
Originally from Osaka, Japan, Miyabe played a pivotal role in CSI’s volleyball success, helping the Golden Eagles clinch their 12th national championship. Her outstanding performance earned her the titles of NJCAA Player of the Year and American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2018.
During her two seasons at CSI, Miyabe maintained an impressive record, leading the team to a 61-6 overall standing. In her freshman year, the Eagles were runners-up in the NJCAA National Tournament, followed by a triumphant national title in 2018.
Miyabe’s stellar sophomore season was highlighted by Region 18 Player of the Year accolades, NJCAA and AVCA first-team All-American honors, and MVP of the NJCAA National Tournament honors. She also secured a spot on the Region 18 All-Tournament team.
Miyabe’s statistics at CSI are equally remarkable, ranking fourth in school history with 3.82 kills per set, sixth in total kills with 807, and fifth in service reception percentage (.954).
Transitioning to the University of Minnesota, Miyabe continued to excel, contributing significantly to the Gophers’ volleyball program. In 2021, she averaged 2.97 kills, 0.93 digs, and 0.27 blocks per set across 27 matches.
Her tenure at Minnesota included notable achievements such as reaching the Final Four, Elite Eight, and Sweet 16 in NCAA tournaments. Miyabe’s standout performance came in a Sweet 16 match against Baylor in 2021, where she recorded a career-high 18 kills on .324 hitting.
At the international level, Miyabe plays a crucial role as a middle blocker for Japan’s national team. Japan secured its place in the 2024 Paris Olympics after a strong performance in the Volleyball Nations League, where Miyabe contributed significantly with 11 points in the semifinals against top-ranked Brazil. This led Japan to its first-ever VNL final and a historic victory.
Ranked No. 7 globally, Japan aims to secure its first Olympic medal since the London Games. The team is placed in Group B and will commence their campaign against Poland, ranked No. 4, on Sunday, July 28. The women’s preliminary rounds kick off a day earlier on July 27, with 12 teams divided into three groups. The top two teams from each group advance directly to the final tournament, while the top two third-placed teams also progress.
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Airi Miyabe’s journey from collegiate success to international prominence underscores her dedication and talent in the world of volleyball. As she prepares to represent Japan at the Paris Olympics, her achievements continue to inspire both locally and globally.
