My Favourite Volleyball Players

Over the years, as I continue to learn more about volleyball and continue to watch the sport, three volleyball players stood out to me the most. It wasn't until recently when I started to really observed players and started to favourite some. These three players are: Allysa "The Phenom" Valdez, Dennise Michelle "Den Den" Lazaro and Shiela Marie "Bang" or "Bhebs" Pineda.  

Allysa "The Phenom" Caymo Valdez- Allysa Valdez was born on June 29, 1993 in San Juan, Batangas, Philippines. Out of the four children in her family, she is the only girl. Growing up, she was already playing the sport of volleyball; her older brothers as well, played the sport of volleyball when she was still in elementary, therefore, she was exposed to the sport at such a young age, and has been able to practice the skills needed. She is currently attending Ateneo de Manila University, and is taking AB Psychology and is part of their student council. 

Allysa plays in her school team named the Ateneo Lady Eagles/Spikers; her position in the sport is an outside hitter. She also plays both indoor and beach volleyball for her school. Outside her school team, she also plays in a club called the Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers. With the great practice that she has made over the years, she has been able to strengthen her skills and manage to earn many awards for the phenomenal skills she has developed. These awards include the Best Server, Best Scorer,  Finals MVP and much more.

AWARD	LEAGUE from recent to past	TEAM
Best Scorer	Shakey's V-League 11th Season Open Conference	AdMU
Best Scorer Best Server Most Valuable Player Finals Most Valuable Player	UAAP Season 76	AdMU
Best Server	Shakey's V-League Season 10 1st Conference	AdMU
Best Scorer	UAAP Season 75	AdMU
Finals Most Valuable Player	Shakey's V-League Season 9 1st Conference	AdMU
Best Attacker	7th Shakey's Girls Volleyball League	UST HS
Most Valuable Player	UAAP Season 72	UST HS
Most Valuable Player	UAAP Season 71	UST HS
Most Valuable Player	5th Shakey's Girls Volleyball League	UST HS

Dennise Michelle "Den Den" Lazaro- Dennise Lazaro was born on January 21, 1993. She got into the sport of volleyball because just like her mom, she too was playing for their team. Dennise is currently attending Ateneo de Manila University and is taking BS Biology.  

Dennise plays in her school team named the Ateneo Lady Eagles/Spikers; her position in the sport is the libero. She used to be a middle blocker/player back in her high school days. Outside of her school team, she also plays in a club called the Women's Volleyball Team. She was quite worried and anxious being switched from a middle blocker to a libero, but later enjoys her new position. During the UAAP Season 75, one of the best liberos graduated (Jennylyn Reyes), Dennise took her spot and became the new superstar libero. With a hard transition from a middle blocker to a libero, she managed to win some awards for her great efforts. These awards include the Best Digger and Best Receiver.

Awards	League	Team
Best Digger and Best Receiver	UAAP Season 76 (2013–14)	ADMU
Best Receiver	Shakey's V-League 9th Season 1st Conference	ADMU
Best Digger	Shakey's V-League Southeast Asian Club Invitational (2011)	ADMU
Best Digger	Shakey's V-League Season 8 OPEN Conference (2011)	ADMU
Best Receiver	Shakey's V-League Season 8 1st Conference (2011)	ADMU
Best Receiver	2009 Shakey's Girls V-League	CSA-Makati

Shiela Marie "Bang" or "Bhebs" Pineda- Shiela Pineda was born on Janauary 21, 1991. She is currently attending Adamson University and is taking BS Customs Administration. 


Shiela plays in her school team named the Lady Falcons; her position is an open spiker. She also plays both indoor and beach volleyball for her school. Outside of her school team, she also plays in a club called the Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns. In this club, she used to play as an open spiker, but later becomes the team's libero. Despite having to play two different positions for two different teams, she excels in both. She has won many awards, including the Best Server. 

                 

              


Information and Images
Sources:

"Alyssa Valdez: The Phenomenal Volleybelle." Alyssa Valdez: The Phenomenal Volleybelle. N.p., n.d. Web.
"Alyssa Valdez." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.
"Alyssa "the Phenom" Valdez." Web log post. N.p., n.d. Web. < http://phillsanity.blogspot.ca/2013/09/alyssa-phenom-valdez.html>

Denise Michelle "DenDen" Lazaro. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/iloveu_/5660072030/>
"Denden Lazaro." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.
"ADMU Lady Spiker Dennise Lazaro." Web log post. N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://galwinfabian.com/2010/09/admu-lady-spiker-dennise-lazaro/>

"Fangirl of HairPINeda." Web log post. N.p., n.d. Web.
<https://iamjusay.wordpress.com/tag/shiela-marie/>
"Shiela Marie Pineda." UAAP. N.p., 17 Feb. 2013. Web.
"Adamson, Ateneo Volleybelles Triumph | SPIN.PH." Sports Interactive Network Philippines. N.p., n.d. Web.

"Shakey’s V-League Semis: Army Forces Decider vs. Smart-Maynilad, Cagayan Valley Sweeps Air Force to Advance to Finals." Web log post. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/sportztackle/shakey-v-league-semis-army-forces-decider-vs-172155848.html>