Finding the next stars of SV men through the numbers
Who will become the next central figures in SV men? Looking beyond total points to matches and sets makes the young Japanese players’ current positions much clearer.
Taishi Mizumachi — already past 1,000 points
2024-25 — 46 matches, 172 sets, 460 points 2025-26 — 44 matches, 165 sets, 566 points Two-season total — 1,026 points
His playing volume dipped slightly last season, yet his points rose by 106 and his attack attempts jumped from 781 to 1,030. His offensive responsibility grew without more court time.
Yuto Kai and Hiroki Maki — what happens after graduation?
Kai: 2025-26 — 34 matches, 122 sets, 220 points. Maki: 2025-26 — 26 matches, 70 sets, 69 points.
Both produced those numbers while still at university. The 2026-27 season will be their first chance to play an SV campaign from the start after graduation. For 210 cm Maki, blocks will be another number worth watching.
Takuma Kawano — already 18 SV matches as a university player
2025-26 — 18 matches, 28 sets, 7 points
The Waseda University player has already experienced 18 SV matches. Recording his numbers now makes it possible to follow how his sets, attack attempts and points develop over the coming years.
Kyosuke Higuruma — a name revealed by playing time
2025-26 — 15 matches, 33 sets, 85 points
That is about 2.58 points per set. Higuruma stands out when total points are viewed together with limited playing time — exactly the kind of player deeper data can uncover.
Young players are not all at the same stage. Looking at matches, sets and attack attempts alongside points gives a much better picture of where each one is now — and who may be ready to jump next.
*Points, matches and sets are calculated from official SV.League data.