• Name: Michele Theresa I. Gumabao
  Birthday: September 2, 1992
  Height: 5″8

  School/Team (current): De La Salle University
  Course: BS Marketing Management

  Volleyball Position/s: Utility Spiker
  Achievements and Awards: Best Blocker – UAAP Season 73, Best Attacker – Intercollegiate 2011.

How did you first get into volleyball? What are your greatest achievements/awards as a volleyball player?

Michelle: I started playing in grade school, watching my older sisters play at our school. I started training when I was in high school. Joined a few competitions back then with the School of the Holy Spirit QC (SHS) volleyball team under Coach Mark De la Cruz. I entered La Salle as a try out and the rest is history Greatest achievement was not the awards but the chance to play and be a part of such a blessed team like the Lady Spikers.

What was your most memorable volleyball moment (or game)? Tell us why.

Michelle: Two years I’ve played in the UAAP and I can clearly say I have a long way to go and lots more to learn, the most memorable game for me was our Season 73 championship game of course! I think everyone who watched that day would agree that it was really a miracle game When people doubted and thought we would lose that set, in our hearts we knew we were destined for that championship, I would never forget that moment seeing the expression on the faces of my teammates It was EPIC!! Haha.

What’s your special “volleyball move” you are known for? If you don’t have one, please invent one now. Tell us what it’s called and how it works.

Michelle: Honestly I wouldn’t say I would have a special move Even though I won best blocker I really believe I have a lot of areas to improve on I know I’ll get there, I’ll get back to you on that

Who is/was your favorite volleyball player and why? Can be international, local, or your bff teammate or whoever.

Michelle: I know it’s weird but I really don’t know any great volleyball players. I don’t watch that much games and I don’t know them I like the USA volleyball team though

What is the most important lesson you learned from playing volleyball which you are able to apply in what you do now in life?

Michelle: Courage Back in first year I would always remember our coach telling me that he could see that I was still afraid every time he would let me play. I promised to myself that I would overcome that fear and just play the game that I loved. Every move you make, you can’t have any hesitations or second thoughts in volleyball because every mistake you make is crucial for the game.

What is the best volleyball tip or advice you have ever received from your volleyball coach/es?

Michelle: Don’t settle with what you have now. Don’t be contented with the things you have already achieved. I would always remember Coach telling me this, because it really had a big impact on me. Always aspire for more, always think you can achieve more. Aim high and set your goals high. 1 Cor 2:9 (see below) I love this verse because it always makes me remember that God has so much plans for me and I only have to let him take control

1 Cor 2:9 – However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.

continue reading this interview on the next page…

Volleywood.net writes and features an interview with Logan Tom. The actual interview was conducted by China Daily.

China Daily was very lucky to have the opportunity to interview the best American player of our generation: The one and only Queen Logan Tom! In case you didn’t know, Logan played in China this season with Coach Jenny Lang Ping for Team Evergrande. If you want to know how her team did, read this. Anyways, here’s the interview excerpts:

Do you have any goals that you want to accomplish still? Like the Olympic gold medal?
Tom: No. I’m happy with where I am and what I am doing right now. Obviously, it would be nice to have it (the Olympic gold medal). But I don’t know what I will do with the national team right now. Everything is up in the air.

Based on this answer, we have a feeling Logan might not play with Team USA this season. Well, she better play! It’s a crucial year for Team USA and for all the teams who want to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.

Have you lost some of your passion for the game after playing for so many years?
Tom: Everyone has different stages of passion. You cannot maintain that early feeling after doing it for a long time. When you get older, you change with time.

Regardless if her passion for volleyball has changed with time, she’s still fierce!

You are determined and even aggressive on the court. But off the court you hang around to shake hands with your opponents and have pictures taken with fans for as long as they want. There seems to be a contrast there?
Tom: The players are worth a lot of respect. When you are on the court, you try as hard as you can to win. But when it’s finished, it’s finished. I just think it’s a good ending that way. For the fans, they support me a lot. They cheer for me and they cheer for my team. That’s the best I can do. People just judge the players by how they react on the court. Of course, during the match I always try my best, I don’t like losing and that’s why I may appear aggressive.

She is just amazing!

Your grandfather was from China and you won the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, fans here like you very much. How do you like the connection to China?
Tom: I have to say that before the Beijing Olympics we hadn’t spent much time in China. We had Chinese food growing up. I’ve been here pretty much for volleyball and, like I said, I enjoy staying here. It is a very fast-growing country. People work very hard here. It’s an upcoming country.

We hope she’s aware that Chinese Fans want her to play in the Chinese League again.

What do you do in your leisure time?
Tom: Play cards, lots of reading. I bought a guitar but have never really played it. When I am home I like to go on road trips.

At least she didn’t say she’s always on Facebook like someone we know when she’s off the court. LOL!

All we can say is that we really hope Logan will stay with the US Team until the 2012 Olympics. Based on what she said, she hasn’t decided yet on what her next step is. Well Your Highness, just take some time off and then you can start thinking about it. See ya at the Grand Prix? We love ya!

Name: Maria Rosario Bollozos Soriano
Position: Middle Blocker, Open Spiker

Birthday: October 14, 1985
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 58 kg

Schools/Teams: Colegio San Agustin, Poveda, Ateneo de Manila University
Course: AB Economics, Masters in Business Administration
Teams: Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team

Achievements: UAAP – Season 66 Rookie of the Year, Season 70 Best Receiver and Season 70 Best Scorer, V-League – Season 4, 2nd Conference Most Energetic Player, Season 5 Most Improved Player and Season 5 Best Blocker

1. Why #8? And why did you move from being #14 to #8?
I like the #8 ever since. For me it symbol of infinity because of its never-ending loops. Related to infinity, for me the #8 portrays endlessness. And when I think about it now, it’s an accurate representation for my passion in volleyball – everlasting.

When I was a rookie, I chose #14 because my senior was using #8. But when she graduated, I was able to request my coach to change my jersey number to 8.

2. How did you first get into volleyball? How long have you been playing?
I started playing volleyball when I was a 7th grader at Colegio San Agustin. Carla Llaguno, my friend and former captain, asked me to join the team and I agreed. Then I transferred to Poveda and I tried out and got accepted in the team.

3. What are your greatest achievements/awards as a volleyball player?
I won the UAAP rookie of the year award last 2003. That, for me, is my most prized and most memorable since it was the first ever individual award that I got.

4. What makes a good volleyball player? Does height really matter?
Hmm… Height makes it easier, but it’s not all that matters. There are a lot of determinants of a good volleyball player; however, one of the more important determinants is having a willing heart.

5. You’ve played a lot of positions, right? Which is better? Open Spiker or Middle Blocker? Why?
Setter. Joke. Hehe As for the variety of plays, its better to be a middle hitter since you have a lot more options as to what plays you want to do.

6. If you’re not playing for Ateneo, what school do you want to play for? Why?
I guess I just can’t imagine playing for any other school…

7. Likewise, how did it feel to play for a school, which has a great sports program like Ateneo?
It felt like home.

8. During the last UAAP, aside from your team, which team was the toughest to go against with? Who’s the toughest player?
The toughest team to go against with was FEU. They had a very solid line-up, with players reliable in both defense and offense. Moreover, their main setter, Wendy Semana, is, in my opinion, the toughest player to go against with. Not only does she forecast her skills in the setting area, but she spikes the ball like she’s a seasoned hitter.

9. How about the recently concluded V-League? Which team and player were the toughest to go against with?
The toughest team to go against with was Adamson, evidently. As for the toughest player, I would have to say Bualee Jaroensri of San Sebastian. Aside from her honed skills, she plays with heart and determination.

10. What was your most memorable UAAP game? V-League moment?
For UAAP: It was just last season, against Adamson University, January 9. Both my teammates, Karla Belo and Bea Pascual got injured, one after the other, with minutes separating their accidents. Karla had a severe sprain and Bea suffered from an ACL injury. That game was very memorable for me. The team felt very emotional and sympathetic with both Karla and Bea.

For Vleague: It was during the 1st conference last year, against UST. We were on the 3rd set when our gust player, Namphon Intuan, had a terrible fall, which resulted to an ACL injury. We all felt devastated when we saw her limping her way out off the court with her tears flowing on her face. I didn’t understand Thai yet then, but I could see in her eyes how scared she was. She could have opted to go straight to the hospital but she didn’t want to. She was saying that she wanted to watch and finish the game, she wanted to cheer for the team. We won in 5 sets.