FAMILY DECISION

Ojeda in action with her former team, USPF in this file photo.
cdn file

Volleybelle gives in to grandmother’s request, leaves USPF for Ateneo de Cebu

Middle-blocker Kirstin Louise Ojeda has finally fulfilled the wish of her grandmother as she decided to leave the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) to join her cousin Angelyna Grace Canieso at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles for the upcoming Cesafi season.

Ojeda’s decision to leave the Panthers turf to move to Ateneo didn’t come easy for the 5-foot-8 volleybelle from Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Sur. In fact, it took her a year and a request from her grandmother, Letty, to finally make the move.

“It was a family decision which I refused last year. But now I can’t refuse the request of my Lola Letty, she really wants me to play along side with my first cousin,” Ojeda said. “We are really close with my family. So I waited for the family’s decision.”

The 16-year-old Ojeda admitted that it was tough for her to leave the Panthers team, which she helped win the 3rd Inter Private Schools Cup Volleyball Tournament last month.

“I thank USPF for the memorable two years with them,” she said.

Ojeda said she is excited to be part of the defending girls’ champion together with Canieso, Cesafi’s best blocker Danielle Malazarte and league’s best attacker Jennifer delos Santos.

According to her, the transition to her new team has been smooth so far.

“Of course with the guidance of my new coaches Jamel Macasmat, Coach Mario Sala, (I will take it) step by step. I’m a team player. I’ll do what the team needs me to do. For now, I’ll be focusing (on my) net defense, and middle attacks as well,” Ojeda shared.

Ojeda has been quite familiar with the Magis Eagles system, having been played for them in this year’s Private Schools Athletics Association, Saulog 2017 Spike Fest volleyball tournament and 3rd JGM 17-under girls volleyball invitational tournament.

Magis Eagles mentor Mario Sala believes that the addition of Ojeda will definitely provide depth on the defensive end.

“Kirstin’s height will definitely help add resistance to our game dynamics especially against opponent’s attacks,” Sala said.

But Sala also noted the need to keep on training hard throughout the season.

“The program will not always believe in talent. Talent alone will not make anyone a champion. Hard work and perseverance in sharpening one’s given raw talent does. This is the reason why they always come to train.”