American opposite Destinee Hooker will be the main star of the upcoming season of the Puerto Rican Volleyball League after the 33-year-old veteran signed with Sanjuaneras de la Capital ahead of the opening matches on June 12.
Hooker to star in Puerto Rican League
The American opposite signs with Sanjuaneras for the upcoming club season
Published 12:36, 25 May 2021
A London 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Hooker will play in the country for the third time in her career. She was the league’s Most Valuable Player and won the title of the 2009-2010 season with Pinkin de Corozal, which is also based in the country’s capital San Juan, and returned for the 2013-2014 season to win the league once again for Criollas de Caguas.
“Winning the Puerto Rican League back in 2010 was a really special experience,” she said following the announcement of her signing. “To think that I’ll be back and will get to play in that same stadium, it’s really exciting. It already brings back memories from that season.”
Se integra ya a las prácticas de las Sanjuaneras Destinee Hooker. 🏐❤️
Posted by Sanjuaneras de la Capital on Monday, 24 May 2021
During her club career, Hooker, who sat out of the 2020-2021 season, has also played in Korea, Italy, Brazil, China and Russia. She was part of the American national team between 2010 and 2012 and led the team to the titles of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix in each of the three seasons, and was the tournament’s MVP in 2011.
At Sanjuaneras, Hooker will join some past and present Puerto Rican national team members in setter Natalia Valentin, libero Deborah Seilhamer and middle blocker Neira Ortiz. The team is coached by former Puerto Rican national team head coach Jose Mieles.
Sanjuaneras is one of the eight teams that will part in the 2021 Puerto Rican League. The others are Pinkin de Corozal, Valencianas de Juncos, Leonas de Ponce, Changas de Naranjito, Criollas de Caguas, Grises de Humacao and Ladyhawks de Gurabo.
Hooker in action during the 2012 London Olympics
