BRONX, N.Y. - The Fordham University volleyball team will travel to Japan on June 22 for a 10-day training trip to prepare for the upcoming 2023 fall season. While abroad, the team will compete in three matches in three different cities. The trip will also serve as a cultural immersion tour as the Rams will explore the country to maximize their experience both on and off the court.
 
This is the program's second foreign tour, having gone to Italy in 2019 for a similar preseason excursion. The entire roster will take full advantage of this opportunity to build chemistry and camaraderie in a unique setting. Much excitement is brewing as the team prepares to set out.
 
"This is a once in a lifetime trip for our volleyball team," said head coach Ian Choi. "They're going to make memories here that'll last them the rest of their lives, and I have to thank the University, our President, Tania Tetlow, our Athletic Director, Ed Kull, and our donors for giving us the opportunity to represent Fordham Athletics on an international stage, especially with the topicality of gender equity in the landscape of the NCAA."
 
Games will be played against Senri Kinran University, Ryukoku University, and Nihon University, taking place in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, respectively. The international stage presents a chance for the Rams to learn about volleyball outside of the United States. Perspective on how the sport influences lives is something the team will have their eyes on during the tour.
 
"We're so specific with how we like to do things in the States and it's very different internationally, the way they train, the way they play, the way they cheer," said associate head coach Alyssa Kaufman. "That's become a huge part of volleyball in the States, your bench energy. We have no idea what it's like in Japan."
 
"I'm curious what type of values carry over in Japan. Exactly how much it means to them and how that's manifested when they compete," added Choi.
 
As part of the itinerary, the team plans to see sights such as Dontonbori, Shinjuku, and the Meiji Shrine, among others. The Rams are eager to try new foods and soak up the culture and history, all while traveling via bullet train.
 
"A lot of our athletes come to New York City for a reason," Choi said of the diverse range of opportunities at Fordham. "It's the biggest and most international city in the U.S. These athletes have a very broad perspective and I feel Japan is a great place for them to continue to actualize that."
 
Following the trip, the Rams will start their 2023 campaign at UNC Wilmington on August 25.