Aleiah Torres, a 22-year-old libero with roots in Cavite and Tarlac, has embarked on a journey fueled by her passion for volleyball and her strong family ties in the Philippines.
Raised by Filipino parents in Toronto, Canada, Torres discovered her love for volleyball at the age of 12 and has been honing her skills ever since. Now, she is set to make her mark in the inaugural PVL Draft on July 8.
Torres' decision to participate in the PVL Draft is driven by her admiration for the sport in the Philippines and the vibrant, passionate crowds that support it.
"I really liked watching the teams here. The crowd is really exciting, everyone is always involved when they are watching the games," Torres shared during the first-ever PVL Draft Combine held at the Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.
"Being able to play in the Philippines is super special for me since I have a lot of family here."
Torres brings to the table a high volleyball IQ, leadership skills, and a fast-paced playstyle that she believes set her apart from the other 46 applicants.
During her final season at Brook University, she led her team with 234 total digs and 3.44 assists per set over 20 regular season matches. In the playoffs, she averaged 2.70 digs per set and matched her career-high of 26 digs in five games during her senior year.
"As a libero, I can read the game very well, especially from the backcourt – just playing defense and seeing what my teammates should be doing up at the net. I let them know how many hitters they have, where to attack, what’s open for them," Torres explained.
Despite the excitement and anticipation surrounding the PVL Draft, Torres is managing her expectations and focusing on making an immediate impact on whichever team selects her.
Each round of the PVL Draft comprises 12 picks across all teams, continuing until all teams decline to select a player.
"I don’t really have a lot of expectations," Torres admitted. "I just came here to have lots of fun, and hopefully I can contribute to whichever team I am drafted to and experience everything the Philippines has to offer."
