Europeans Abroad: Pádár has a big week in Japan

European volleyball players are spread all over the world during the 2022-2023 club season, playing big roles in their teams. Many of them are currently away from the continent, competing in some of the top leagues on the planet, and we’ll help you follow their journeys by providing periodic updates on how they’re doing.

Japan

Hungarian national team player Krisztián Pádár had a weekend in the Japanese V. League he will never forget as the 26-year-old opposite scored 30 or more points in back-to-back nights, leading his team Toray Arrows to consecutive five-set victories against the Tokyo Great Bears.

Pádár, who’s in his third season with the team and is the top scorer of the V. League, fired 30 points (24 kills, five blocks, one ace) on Saturday, when the Arrows erased a two-set deficit to win in five. On Sunday, the Hungarian improved his production to 32 points (29 kills, three aces) as his team saw their two-set lead vanish, but still managed to win the tie-breaker.

Former Polish national team captain Michał Kubiak also had a strong performance in a five-set win on Sunday. The 34-year-old outside hitter helped his team Panasonic Panthers top the JTEKT Stings in the tie-breaker with 21 points (19 kills, one block, one ace).

On the women’s league, the Toray Arrows’ female team also counted on European help to have a productive week – it came from Azeri outside hitter Jana Kulan, who combined for 47 points across the two matches of the weekend.

On Saturday, the second-best scorer of the V. League produced 18 points (all in kills) in a sweep against the Hisamitsu Springs. The next day, Kulan was even better, tallying 29 points (25 kills, four blocks) in a five-set triumph over league leaders JT Marvelous.

Brazil

The captain of the Dutch national team, veteran outside hitter Anne Buijs continues in great form in the Brazilian Superliga as the 31-year-old Olympian secured her third-straight Player of the Match award with league leaders Dentil Praia Club.

Buijs scored 13 points (11 kills, one block, one ace) in a sweep of in-state rivals Gerdau Minas on Thursday and was selected as the match’s Most Valuable player, but handed the trophy to team setter Claudinha Bueno, recognizing the performance of her teammate.

Also in Brazil, Polish star outside hitter Malwina Smarzek returned from an injury that sidelined her from last week’s match and helped Osasco São Cristovão Saúde top São Caetano 3-1. Smarzek came off the bench in three of the four sets of the encounter and registered three points, all in kills.

Korea

Dutch outside hitter Thijs Ter Horst played ten sets in four days in the Korean V-League as his team Suwon KEPCO Vixtorm was involved with two tie-breakers over the week. The 31-year-old European didn’t let his level drop and ended the week with a whooping 67 points scored across both matches.

On Thursday, despite Ter Horst’s 38 points (29 kills, six aces, three blocks), KEPCO ended up falling to OK Financial Group in five sets. On Sunday, the Dutch tallied 29 points (26 kills, three blocks) and saw his team prevail over the Samsung Bluefangs in the tie-breaker.

Spanish opposite Andrés Villena also scored at a high rate with his team KB Insurance Stars. The 29-year-old opposite had a pair of 29-point performances on Tuesday and Saturday, but still saw his team fall to the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers and the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos.