Veteran spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga is giving up her slot in the national indoor volleyball team tryouts to take a new career path in beach volleyball.
In a social media post, the 29-year-old opposite hitter expressed her gratitude to the sport and the people who supported her over the past years.
“Thank you indoor volleyball! That was a great journey with you. For now it’s time for me to take a new route,” Gonzaga wrote along with a letter of invitation from the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVF)
She also wrote on a separate post, “Thank you. Good luck Philippine Indoor Volleyball! Maraming salamat sa tiwala, pag-aalaga at pagmamahal!”
Gonzaga has been a member of the PH indoor volleyball team since 2015 where she was captain of the squad that competed in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Several athletes wished her good luck on her new journey that include Alyssa Valdez, Gretchen Ho, Jia Morado, Rachel Anne Daquis, Majoy Baron and Aby Maraño, to name a few.
PNVF board member Charo Soriano, who is also in charge of beach volleyball, also welcomed Gonzaga’s new endeavor.
“A legend takes on the beach. Honoring your indoor volleyball journey and at the same time excited for your beach volleyball path. We’re here for you, Jov!” Soriano wrote on her Twitter account.
Gonzaga will join fellow invited beach volleyball players Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez and Dzi Gervacio, to name a few.
She was no stranger on the sand court, winning the 2016 Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Grand Prix title with Nene Bautista.