Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – With the 2008 Virginia Tech volleyball season completed, defensive specialist Sarah Muñoz will carry her talents to Puerto Rico, where the Encinitas, Calif., native will play for Llaneros Toa Baja, a member of the Federacion Peurtorriquena de Voleibol (FPV) in spring of 2009.
Llaneros Toa Baja, roughly translated to the Toa Baja Cowgirls, drafted Muñoz on Nov. 4, after the co-owner Fernando Olivero received some advice from Arkansas and Puerto Rico national team head coach Robert Puliza, who the Hokies played in the Arkansas Tournament on Sept. 13.
“Robbie called up Fernanado and he mentioned a few people, and I was one of the people he mentioned,†Muñoz said. “Fernando called up [Tech head coach Chris Riley] and asked if I wanted to do this.â€
Muñoz jumped at the opportunity to play in Puerto Rico. Ever since learning about the FPV in high school, Muñoz dreamed to play in the country where her father, Jose Muñoz, who was born in San Juan, is from.
“I thought it was awesome, it was something that I always wanted to do, but I didn’t know if the opportunity would present itself,†Muñoz said. “I met a woman when I was a senior in high school who said to contact her after I graduated. It ended up that Fernando purchased the team from her. It is kind of a dream come true.â€
Muñoz brings a unique versatility to Toa Baja, in that she can play any position from outside hitter to libero. As a freshman in 2005, the Santa Fe Christian High alum led the team in kills and was third in digs, while playing the outside hitter position. In 2008, her senior season, Muñoz was moved to defensive specialist, where she provided depth and leadership to a young squad, while improving her defensive skills. The Hokies finished 20-11 on the year, the squad’s best record since 2002, and Muñoz ended her Hokie career with 941 kills and 1,026 digs.
“I think this season pushed me to be a better defender,†Muñoz said. “I felt like I was a better defender this season than I have been in past seasons. It helped me focus on defense. All I had to do was serve the ball aggressively in the court, pass and dig it. Taking the front row aspect out of it, made it easier for me to be a better defender, because I only had to focus on three things.â€
The FPV only allows two foreigners on each team, but with her father hailing from Puerto Rico, and several other family members still residing there, the FPV considers Muñoz a native, adding more value to her stock.
The team boasts a strong line-up, consisting of many impressive players. Along with Muñoz, the squad also drafted Alexis Crimes, an All-Big West middle blocker from Long Beach State, and Angie Pressey, an outside hitter from Cal-Berkeley.
“There are a lot of really legit players,†Muñoz said. “The two foreigners I have on my team, [Crimes] a middle from Long Beach State who we played against last year, she is 6’5†and has a 40-inch vertical, and [Pressey] from Cal-Berkeley is amazing too. It is a chance to play with amazing players.â€
The interdisciplinary studies major looks forward to being able to experience a different culture for four months, as well.
“I have been there before, it is gorgeous, and I know my parents are excited,†Muñoz said. “It will definitely be a different culture, but I am excited. It will be a nice change, plus I don’t really have to deal with a winter.â€
Muñoz is scheduled to leave for Puerto Rico on January 2nd. The academic senior will graduate from Tech in December of 2009, and will take online classes during next semester.