Lausanne, Switzerland, May 30, 2019 – Thailand’s Nootsara Tomkom talked to fivb.com as her team participate in week 2 of the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. Her team lost to Belgium on Thursday, but claimed their second victory of the competition on Wednesday by defeating Korea. She shares tips on setting and talks about mentoring some of the younger players in the Thailand team, to prepare them for the future.
“I always do my best to set a good example to our younger players so that when it’s their turn to play at an international level, they will all be ready to take on all the challenges,” she said.
Nootsara has a calm personality and undeniable creativity, that she can pass on to her younger teammates.
“I describe myself as always smiling, small and spirited. I wanted to add smart but I don’t think I am smart,” jested Nootsara.
Nootsara wears the number 13 on her jersey, which others think is an unlucky number – but not for her.
“It’s my lucky number,” Nootsara said. “That and smiling a lot, and creating beautiful plays makes everything positive.”
Nootsara has looked up to many inspirations as an athlete and she worked hard to reach her status as one of the best setters in the world.
“My sister was my first big inspiration,” she recounted. “We would play together when we were kids, so my interest in volleyball started from there. I also looked up to our former setter Prim Intawong, who is a legendary setter in Thailand. And then from other countries, it’s Japanese setter Yoshie Takeshita who is very skilful.”
Nootsara has undoubtedly made a name for herself and stands among the best playmakers in the world. She has a distinct style in setting and she brilliantly involves her teammates in each play, making every game exciting to watch.
“You need to understand the nature of each spiker because they are all different,” she said. “More importantly, you need to know how to deal with each situation immediately.
“You need to know how to adapt the play in each touch and make the game. Command and control of the game is also necessary to be able to give your teammates some space to display their best plays.
“I naturally go with the flow when I set for the national team. We have been playing together for years so I have very few adjustments to make, but when I am setting for my teammates in the club, I need to get myself to the standard they expect me to be at. I also have to adapt the set to each spiker.”
Nootsara has had the opportunity to work alongside the best players in the world during club competition. She admires her teammates but also has her own personal favourites.
“My dream team would have Kim Yeon-Koung and Natalia Pereira, my middles would be Foluke Akinradewo and Pleumjit Thinkaow, my opposite would be Paola Egonu and my libero would be Monika De Gennaro. The first four players I have had the chance to play with before, the other two – Egonu and De Gennaro – I like them personally.”
At the 2019 VNL, Nootsara hopes to learn more about her team's opponents, which will help her achieve her team’s ultimate dream.
“The VNL is such a big event this year. This will bring out the best and I hope I can learn something from meeting the best teams in the world and get to know their level of play, their new players and the new system that each team utilises because everything that we do here is to reach our dream of playing in the Olympic Games.”
Apart from her Olympic dream, she has also set some goals for herself in volleyball and in her private life.
“I will try to help to promote the sport by working behind the scenes in our federation. I also want to be a chef because I love to cook…and eat a lot.”