After a historic start to the Women’s volleyball season, its time to meet non-traditional freshman outside hitter Daniela Duarte.
As a Belo Horizonte, Brazil native, Duarte started life with a knack for adventure. Spending most of her adult life traveling to places like Thailand and Australia, Duarte is no stranger to foreign places.
After Park Volleyball’s Assistant Coach Vinicius Baigan watched Duarte play in an open gym this summer, it was apparent she would fit right in to the Pirate volleyball program.
“I watched her for a little bit and her enthusiasm and personality showed through,” said Baigan. “I knew she’d match what we were looking for this year.”
This is not Duarte’s first time in the United States.
“I had been here before but never to live,” she said. “I was very excited to have an opportunity to not only play in the U.S. but also study at an American university.”
So far this season Duarte has already impacted the volleyball program, filling another attacking position as well as chipping in on defense.
The women are currently ranked number 10 in the NAIA and play two important conference matches in the upcoming week.
