1. Early Life and Volleyball Beginnings
Yurie Nabeya's deep connection to volleyball began early in her life, influenced significantly by her family's strong background in the sport. Her journey from childhood through her high school years saw her develop into a formidable player, culminating in national recognition.
1.1. Birth and Family Background
Nabeya was born on December 15, 1993, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan, and grew up in Ōta, Tokyo. Both of her parents were prominent volleyball players during their time at Aoyama Gakuin University. Her father played as an ace spiker for Hosei University Second High School, achieving a runner-up finish at the Spring High School Volleyball tournament, and later competed for the industrial league team NTT Tohoku. Her mother also reached the Spring High School Volleyball finals as a setter for Hachioji Jissen High School (one year junior to Motoko Obayashi) and captained her university team to their first Kanto League Division 1 championship in her senior year. Growing up in this volleyball-centric family, Nabeya began playing the sport at the age of eight, during her third year of elementary school at Onogakuen Elementary School.
1.2. Education and High School Career
Nabeya attended Shintoku SC Junior High School before enrolling at Higashikyushu Ryukoku High School in Ōita Prefecture, a renowned institution for volleyball. In her third year of high school (2012), she served as the team captain, leading her team to victory in the 64th All Japan High School Volleyball Championship. Her exceptional performance earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the tournament.
2. Professional Career
Yurie Nabeya's professional volleyball career has spanned over a decade, marked by her contributions to several top-tier clubs in Japan and her consistent presence on the national stage.
2.1. Club Career
Nabeya's club career began in 2012 and saw her play for three major teams in the V.League, consistently performing as a key player.
2.1.1. Denso Airybees (2012-2021)
In December 2011, Yurie Nabeya officially joined Denso Airybees as an apprentice player. She made her professional debut in March 2012 during the 3rd place playoff of the Final Round against Okayama Seagulls. Her V.League regular season debut occurred on November 25, 2012, in a match against JT Marvelous, where she scored 16 points (11 attacks, 3 blocks, 2 service aces), contributing significantly to her team's comeback victory. From the 2018-19 season, she was appointed as the game captain for Denso Airybees. In July 2021, following the 2020-21 season, Nabeya departed from Denso Airybees alongside teammate Kotoe Inoue. Throughout her tenure with Denso, she wore jersey number 14.
2.1.2. PFU Blue Cats (2021-2023)
In August 2021, Nabeya announced her transfer to PFU Blue Cats. On January 29, 2023, during a V1 Women's match against Victorina Himeji, she achieved the significant milestone of 230 V.League appearances. Following the conclusion of the 2022-23 V1 Women's Final, she was honored with the V.League Honor Award for this achievement. On April 24, 2023, Nabeya announced her departure from PFU Blue Cats after the 2022-23 season. In her final tournament with the team, the 71st Kurowashi Flag All Japan Volleyball Tournament, she played a pivotal role in leading PFU Blue Cats to their first-ever championship. For her outstanding performance, she was awarded the Kuroshio Prize (MVP) and was named to the Best 6 team of the tournament. During her time with PFU Blue Cats, she wore jersey number 15.
2.1.3. Queens Kariya (2023-Present)
After leaving PFU Blue Cats, Nabeya transferred to Toyota Auto Body Queenseis, which was later rebranded as Queens Kariya. She continues her professional career with the team, wearing jersey number 15.
2.2. National Team Career
Yurie Nabeya has been a consistent presence on the Japanese national volleyball teams at various levels, contributing to their efforts in international competitions.
2.2.1. Youth and U23 National Teams
Nabeya's national team career began at the youth level. In September 2012, she was selected as a member of the Japanese national team for the 3rd Asian Cup Women's Tournament. In October 2013, she represented Japan at the 1st FIVB Volleyball Women's U23 World Championship, where she played a key role in the team's bronze medal victory.
2.2.2. Senior National Team
Nabeya made her debut for the senior national team in 2012. She participated in the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix and was a member of the Japanese squad at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where the team finished 5th. She also competed in the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. In April 2019, during a national team training camp, Nabeya sustained a retinal concussion due to a spike hitting her face, requiring about a month for full recovery. To protect her right eye, she began wearing goggles during play starting from the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League. She subsequently participated in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup, where Japan again finished 5th. Despite her contributions, she was not selected for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, missing out on her second consecutive Olympic appearance.
3. Awards and Honors
Yurie Nabeya's career has been highlighted by several significant individual awards and milestones, recognizing her consistent performance and contributions to her teams.
3.1. Individual Awards
- 2016: Aichi Prefecture Sports Commendation: Nishio City Sports Award Commendation
- 2019: Montreux Volley Masters "Best outside spiker"
- 2023: V.League Honor Award (for 230 V.League appearances)
- 2023: 71st Kurowashi Flag All Japan Volleyball Tournament Kuroshio Prize (MVP)
- 2023: 71st Kurowashi Flag All Japan Volleyball Tournament Best 6
3.2. Team Awards
- 2019: Montreux Volley Masters Silver Medal
3.3. Major Career Milestones
- January 29, 2023: Achieved 230 V.League game appearances.
- May 6, 2023: Led PFU Blue Cats to their first championship at the 71st Kurowashi Flag All Japan Volleyball Tournament.
4. Personal Life and Background
Beyond her achievements on the court, Yurie Nabeya's personal life is shaped by her family, friendships, and guiding principles.
4.1. Family and Relationships
Nabeya shares a close bond with fellow volleyball player Riho Otake, who is a childhood friend. Their families have maintained a close relationship, as their fathers were high school classmates. In 2021, Nabeya got married, and she publicly announced her marriage in May 2022 after the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.
4.2. Interests and Motto
Nabeya has a strong affinity for music, particularly influenced by her mother. She frequently listens to Toshiki Kadomatsu and has attended his concerts with her mother. Her musical tastes also include 1990s Japanese artists such as TUBE, Southern All Stars, DEEN, and WANDS. Her life philosophy is encapsulated in her motto: "Always forward, just straight forward" (前へ ただひたすら 前へMae e tada hitasura mae eJapanese). This motto stems from the teachings of her late grandfather, who had a close relationship with Tadaharu Kitajima, the long-serving coach of the Meiji University Rugby Club known for his "Always Forward" spirit. Her father often sends her a simple "Forward!" message via email during crucial competitions.
4.3. Physical Attributes and General Information
Yurie Nabeya has a height of 69 in (176 cm) and weighs 128 lb (58 kg). Her spike jump reaches 120 in (305 cm), and her block jump is 113 in (288 cm). Her fingertip height is 88 in (224 cm). She is right-handed and has a blood type of B.
5. Playing Statistics
Yurie Nabeya's performance in the V.League has been consistently tracked, with detailed statistics reflecting her role as an outside hitter.
5.1. V.League Individual Statistics
The following table summarizes Yurie Nabeya's individual statistics during the V.Premier League regular rounds. Statistics for seasons where she played in the Challenge League (2013-14, 2016-17) are not included in this record.
| Season | Team | Appearances | Attack | Block | Serve | Reception | Total Points | Notes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | Sets | Attempts | Points | Efficiency | Effectiveness | Points | /set | Attempts | Aces | Ace Rate | Effectiveness | Receptions | Success Rate | |||||
| 2011/12 | Denso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | Apprentice player | ||
| 2012/13 | 28 | 72 | 590 | 168 | 28.5% | 15 | 0.21 | 222 | 6 | 2.70% | 11.2% | 435 | 54.9% | 189 | ||||
| 2014/15 | 21 | 80 | 524 | 182 | 34.7% | 25 | 0.31 | 325 | 10 | 3.08% | 10.9% | 413 | 55.0% | 217 | ||||
| 2015/16 | 21 | 80 | 610 | 226 | 37.0% | 37 | 0.46 | 295 | 12 | 4.07% | 13.7% | 625 | 55.5% | 275 | ||||
| 2017/18 | 21 | 80 | 750 | 285 | 38.0% | 17 | 0.21 | 322 | 28 | 15.8% | 427 | 58.8% | 330 | |||||
6. Media Appearances
Yurie Nabeya has participated in various media activities, utilizing platforms like YouTube to connect with fans and share insights into her career and life.
6.1. YouTube and Other Appearances
Nabeya has been featured in several YouTube videos, including:
- PFU Blue Cats channel: "Janiota's Eldest Daughter?! Yurie Nabeya, Aoneko Jarashi" ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rKHPASaV1I ジャニヲタ3姉妹の長女！？鍋谷友理枝選手 青猫じゃらし🐾Janiota Sanshimai no Chōjo!? Nabeya Yurie Senshu Aoneko JarashiJapanese] , October 15, 2021)
- Ishikawa TV: "Must See! PFU Blue Cats' Promising New Talent!" ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WA8QqP9kl0 要チェック！PFUブルーキャッツ期待の新戦力！Yō Chekku! PFU Burū Kyattsu Kitai no Shin Senryoku!Japanese] , September 28, 2021)
- Gekkan Volleyball channel: "[Yurie Nabeya x Higashikyushu Ryukoku High] OB and current members communicate 'RemoTalk!'_1" ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrZ5ZaJCBts 【鍋谷友理枝×東九州龍谷高】OBと現役部員がコミュニケーション「リモトーク！」_1Nabeya Yurie x Higashikyushu Ryukoku Kō] OB to Gen'eki Buin ga Komyunikēshon "RimoTōku!"_1Japanese] , January 5, 2021)
- High School Sports x Cable TV: "The Power of Sports: Yurie Nabeya" ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVhmx8VYIcg スポーツの力 鍋谷友理枝選手Supōtsu no Chikara Nabeya Yurie SenshuJapanese] , November 27, 2018)
7. Retirement
Yurie Nabeya has announced her plans to conclude her professional volleyball career.
7.1. Retirement Announcement
On February 28, 2025, it was announced that Yurie Nabeya will retire from professional volleyball after the conclusion of the 2024-25 SV.LEAGUE Women's season.