Hachioji Jissen Junior High School student Maiko Kano was named to the 18-woman provisional squad for the Asian zone qualifier for the Athens Olympics to be held in Tokyo in May, the Japan Volleyball Association said Monday.

The final list of members will be narrowed to 12, and should Kano make the list, she will become the first junior high school player to represent Japan at an international event since Kumi Nakata and Sachiyo Otani did so at the Japan-China friendly in 1980.