Meet the Matadors: Nanami Nobuhara

6/11/2026

By Sofia Puga 

Soon to be Arizona Western sophomore Nanami Nobuhara grew up in Japan and says her hope was to play volleyball away from her home country. Landing at Arizona Western, she has turned hope into a reality. 

"I wanted to experience life abroad," Nanami Nobuhara said. 

Volleyball has been a major part of Nobuhara's life since childhood. She says she was inspired by a family member to begin playing the game. 

"My sister was involved with the sport, so I wanted to play also," Nobuhara said. "I've now been playing for thirteen years."

On the court, Nobuhara is a libero, a position focused on defense and ball control whose main job is to keep the ball off the floor and control the game from the back row. The libero is the team's best passer and defender, the player who keeps plays alive and gives teammates a chance to score.

During her freshman season with the Lady Matadors, Nobuhara compiled 294 digs in 21 matches including a total of 71 sets played and accumulated 4.14 digs per set. A dig in volleyball is a defensive play where a player stops the ball after the other team attacks it (usually a spike) and keeps it from hitting the floor.

"She's the player our offense runs through," Arizona Western head volleyball coach Lorayne Chandler said. "When she's on the court everything runs a lot smoother, she has a calming effect on the rest of the team."

Nobuhara finished her freshman season by being named to the All-Region I First Team. She also was awarded ACCAC DI Defensive Player of the Week honors twice. 

Off the court, Nobuhara is an education major, with plans to instruct a classroom someday. 

"I want to be a teacher," Nobuhara said. 

Nanami enjoys sushi and Japanese Pop music, and volleyball remains her top hobby. She says she enjoys watching games in her downtime. 

"Volleyball makes me happy," Nanami said. 

Nobuhara's sophomore season will kick off in early August, where she and the Lady Matadors will compete for another playoff run.