Volleyball: Different uniforms, same players as Okinawa athletes compete in Japan

Yuri Biggins spikes the ball.

Shisa VC’s Yuri Biggins blasts a spike against Seisen’s Pipi Hill during Thursday’s Day 1 play in the 11th ASIJ YUJO volleyball tournament. (Photo by Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO – Could this be the last weekend they suit up to play volleyball this season?

Sara Mei Fussinger and Yuri Biggins each say they hope not.

But times being what they are, with the government shutdown and its impact on high school athletics, the senior spikers say they’re hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.

“I’ve thought about it. Me and my teammates have talked about it,” Fussinger said Thursday at the opening day of the American School In Japan YUJO Tournament. “It’s pretty sad. I’m disappointed about the timing of it and had it been any other time” it might have been OK.