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Jennie Lynn Finch Daigle (born September 3, 1980) is an American former softball player who made significant contributions to the sport. Known for her exceptional pitching skills and dominant presence on the field, Finch has left an indelible mark on women’s softball history. From her impressive collegiate career to her successful stints in international competitions, she has become one of the most revered and influential figures in the sport.
Gabriela “Gaby” Lourdes Pérez del Solar Cuculiza, a retired Peruvian volleyball player and politician, achieved great success in both fields. With her exceptional skills, she won numerous medals and awards, including Best Blocker at the 1985 World Cup and Best Receiver at the 1988 Olympics. After her retirement from volleyball, Pérez del Solar transitioned into politics and became a Congresswoman, leaving a lasting legacy in both sports and politics.
Taismary Agüero Leiva, the accomplished Cuban-born Italian volleyball player, is known for being the only athlete to represent two women’s volleyball national teams to win major titles. Agüero was born on March 5, 1977, in Yaguajay, a town located in the province of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. From a young age, she showed immense talent and passion for volleyball, starting her journey in the sport at the tender age of eight.
Magaly Carvajal, the renowned Cuban volleyball player, has left an indelible mark on the sport. Standing tall at 6′ 3″, she is widely regarded as the greatest middle blocker in women’s volleyball. Known for her exceptional blocking and hitting skills, Carvajal has been a dominant force on the court throughout her illustrious career.
Lang Ping, also known as “Jenny,” is a prominent figure in the world of volleyball. Born on December 10, 1960, in Tianjin, China, Lang Ping established herself as one of the greatest volleyball players and coaches of all time. Her remarkable achievements both on and off the court have solidified her place in women’s sports history.
Jasmin Moghbeli is an American U.S. Marine Corps test pilot and NASA astronaut. She grew up in Baldwin, New York, and attended Baldwin Senior High School. Moghbeli’s dedication and passion for aviation led her to become a helicopter test pilot and ultimately, a NASA astronaut. She has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career and is set to command the SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station in 2023. Her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring aviators and young women worldwide.
Mirka Francia Vasconcelos, born on February 14, 1975, in Villa Clara, is a Cuban-Italian volleyball player who has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Ana Beatriz Moser is a Brazilian former volleyball player who made a significant impact on the sport. Born on August 14, 1968, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Moser played as an outside hitter and became renowned for her exceptional skills and leadership abilities. Throughout her career, she represented the Brazilian Women’s National Team, serving as the team captain for over a decade and leading them to numerous victories.
Hélia Rogério de Souza, known as Fofão, is a retired Brazilian female volleyball player who achieved great success in her career. Fofão represented Brazil in five consecutive Summer Olympics, winning multiple medals and establishing herself as one of the greatest setters in the sport. Her skill, determination, and distinct appearance made her a beloved figure in the volleyball world.
Mary Joan “Mary Jo” Peppler, a retired American volleyball player and coach, has left an indelible mark on the sport. With a career spanning several decades, Peppler excelled as a player and made significant contributions to the development and promotion of volleyball. Her achievements, both as a player and coach, continue to inspire generations of athletes and shape the future of the sport.
Kerri Walsh Jennings, born in 1978 in Santa Clara, California, is an American professional beach volleyball player who has become a legend in the sport. With numerous awards and achievements, she is considered one of the greatest players in the history of beach volleyball. Her talent, dedication, and impact on women’s sports have made her an inspiration to athletes around the world.
Danielle Racquel Scott-Arruda is an American-Brazilian indoor volleyball player known for her exceptional career in international competitions. She achieved remarkable success in college, leading the Long Beach State 49ers to the NCAA National Championship in 1993 and earning multiple accolades. Scott-Arruda also represented the United States in five Summer Olympics, setting a new record for U.S. female volleyball athletes. Her dedication, skill, and contributions to sports diplomacy have solidified her place as one of the most influential women in the history of the sport.
Debbie Green-Vargas, the greatest American women’s volleyball setter of all time, was born in South Korea in 1958. She revolutionized the game with her innovative jump set technique and led the USC Trojans to two national championships. Green-Vargas played a crucial role in securing the silver medal for Team USA at the 1984 Olympics, marking a historic achievement for U.S. women’s volleyball. Her remarkable contributions to the sport have earned her a lasting legacy and numerous accolades.
Gabriella Kotsis is a Hungarian indoor volleyball coach who has made a significant impact on the sport. She is one of only two women volleyball coaches to lead teams at multiple Olympics. Kotsis coached Hungary at the 1972, 1976, and 1980 Olympic Games, solidifying her place in the history of the game.
Cecilia Roxana Tait Villacorta, known as “La Zurda del Oro” or “The Golden Left-Handed Woman,” is a renowned Peruvian politician and former volleyball player. She achieved remarkable success in her volleyball career, notably winning a silver medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics, and continued to make an impact in the political sphere, becoming the first Afro-Peruvian elected to Peru’s Congress. Her contributions to both sports and politics have left a lasting legacy.
Mireya Luis Hernández, born on August 25, 1967, in Camagüey, Cuba, is a retired Cuban volleyball player. She began playing at the age of 10 and quickly showcased her talent, eventually joining the Cuban national team at 16. Mireya’s career was marked by numerous achievements, including Olympic gold medals, World Cup victories, and individual accolades. Her impact on the sport transcended boundaries, inspiring generations of female athletes and leaving an indelible mark on the history of women’s volleyball.
Joan Cronan is a trailblazing figure in women’s athletics, known for her extraordinary contributions to the University of Tennessee (UT) athletics program. Born on June 24, 1948, in Opelousas, Louisiana, Cronan’s passion for sports began at a young age. She pursued her love for athletics, excelling in basketball, tennis, and track throughout her high school years.
Ruth Ellen Riley Hunter, a retired American professional basketball player, had a remarkable impact on women’s basketball. Her exceptional skill, dedication, and sportsmanship made her a legendary figure in the sport’s history. From her early days in Kansas to her college career at the University of Notre Dame and her professional success, Riley’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of athletes.
Charlotte West was a trailblazing advocate for women’s sports and a driving force behind the implementation and success of Title IX. Born on October 11, 1937, in Benton, Illinois, West’s passion for athletics and commitment to gender equality left an indelible mark on the world of sports.
Misty May-Treanor, a retired American professional beach volleyball player, is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and the most successful female beach volleyball player of all time. She won 112 tournaments in domestic and international competition and formed one of the most dominant partnerships in the sport with Kerri Walsh Jennings. May-Treanor’s contributions to beach volleyball have earned her a place in the Volleyball Hall of Fame and continue to inspire athletes worldwide.
Patty Dowdell (born 1954 or 1955) is a retired volleyball player who primarily was on the United States women’s national volleyball team from 1974 to 1980. With the national team, Dowdell and the United States finished in seventh at the 1977 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup and fifth at the 1978 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.
Kathy Gregory (born 1945) is an American retired volleyball coach who made a significant impact on the sport. Throughout her 38-season career as the head coach of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s women’s volleyball team, she amassed an impressive 882 wins, which ranks fifth among all coaches in NCAA Division I history. Gregory’s contributions to the sport as both a player and a coach have solidified her place in the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Louise Cruz Silva, OLY, was a retired female volleyball player who made a significant impact on the sport, particularly in the discipline of beach volleyball. She had a remarkable career, marked by numerous achievements and successes on both national and international stages. Silva’s contribution to the sport and her influence on women’s sports cannot be overstated as she broke barriers and achieved unprecedented success, paving the way for future generations of female athletes.
Kerri Ann Pottharst OAM is an Australian former professional beach volleyball player and Olympic gold medallist. She made history at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 by winning a bronze medal, marking the first time beach volleyball was included as an Olympic sport. Her greatest achievement came at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 where she and her partner, Natalie Cook, dominated the competition and took home the gold medal, leaving a lasting impact on women’s sports in Australia.
Natalie Louise Cook OAM OLY is an Australian professional beach volleyball player and Olympic gold medalist. She has made a significant impact in the world of beach volleyball and became the first Australian woman to compete at five Olympic Games.
Holly McPeak, born in 1969 in Manhattan Beach, California, is a retired American indoor and beach volleyball player. She is considered one of the most accomplished and successful players in the history of the sport. McPeak was a three-time Olympian in beach volleyball and had an impressive career on the professional circuit, earning numerous titles and accolades.
Logan Maile Lei Tom, born in Napa, California in 1981, is a former American indoor and beach volleyball player known for her exceptional career as a four-time Olympian. Tom’s impressive accomplishments, including winning silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, have solidified her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Besides her athletic prowess, Tom’s upbringing and personal life have shaped her into the remarkable athlete and person she is today.