Friday, March 14, 2008 Offers pour in for volleyball phenom
YOUNG volleyball stalwart Danika Gendrauli is undoubtedly at the peak of her young volleyball career and everyone is getting out of their way to get her on their collegiate teams.
The incoming college freshman is currently still uncertain which school to attend since the top universities, both local and from Manila, are scrambling to sign her up.
Coaches from De La Salle University, Adamson University, San Sebastian and University of Sto.Tomas—all with relatively impressive volleyball programs—are dangling offers to Gendrauli.
In Cebu, University of San Jose Recoletos head coach Grace Antigua could just cross her fingers that Gendrauli will choose USJ-R, which had recently completed a grand slam in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc.
Gendrauli was catapulted to fame after steering the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) to the national title of the Palarong Pambansa a few years back. This was when she started getting the attention of coaches.
“The coach of La Salle noticed her then and coaxed her to transfer to La Salle. They did not know then that she was just a second year high school student,” said Danika’s mother Yolanda.
After she was seen in the Shakey’s volleyball competition, offers came pouring in. In the Shakey’s competition last year, an event for high school teams, Danika was named the Universal Player for her ability to be useful in all positions.
Yolanda said that if she had her way, she will choose the one that has the better academics program.
“I actually am impressed with La Salle. They offered free tuition, tutor, board and lodging and allowances to the athletes,” said Yolanda adding that she does not have a problem with her daughter staying far away because Danika is independent.
Yolanda, however, added that they are still considering USPF because this was where Danika honed her skills.
“We are also thinking of Jordan (Paca, USPF coach) because he has a lot to do with improving Danika’s skills,” Yolanda added.
Danika, who at 16 now stands at 5-foot-8, is known for her power. Paca used to have a problem with her stance but decided against changing her style because it was what made her strikes powerful.
She started playing volleyball in elementary when she followed her sister Yola around. She used to join Yola, a University of San Carlos varsity member, when she trained during her high school days at Southwestern University. Danika also comes from a family of athletes, her mother used to be a gymnast and sprinter, while dad Danilo is a former collegiate basketball player. (MCB)
