Checking in With Alexandra Oquendo

Jan. 23, 2006

Alexandra Oquendo's volleyball career at Georgia was one of the most decorated in the program's history. Back-to-back All-SEC selections, a Third-Team All-American as a junior and an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior were just some of the awards she accumulated in her time in Athens.

She ended her career as Georgia¹s all-time leader in hitting percentage with a mark of .361 and was top 5 in the SEC in kills during her last season.

But her career didn't end with her senior year, as Oquendo is now a member of Criollas de Caguas in a professional league in her native Puerto Rico. Now she plays in front of her family on a nightly basis and her team is in second place and the defending champion of the league.

"The league is extremely competitive," Oquendo said. "We had a rough start because (Kim Willoughby of Hawaii) was out and I was out with a shoulder injury. But things are getting into place now."

"It will be a tough season. We have to be in the top six teams to qualify for the round robin tournament at the end of the year. We have to work extra hard since we¹re defending champions. I'm pretty positive things will turn out okay," she said.

Alexandra Oquendo

Something that was a shock to Oquendo following her days at Georgia was the quick transition to the real world of professional sports. In college, she said, there was always time off to focus on other things such as studying that helped lessen the pressure of the volleyball season. In her new position, there's no time for anything else.

"Volleyball here is like a job. Your coach is your boss and he expects the very best from you. You have to put everything aside for volleyball. Off the court all you really have time for is lifting weights, eating right and sleeping," said Oquendo.

Part of the pressure early on for Oquendo was a lingering shoulder injury. It sidelined her for several matches and she has just now begun to practice at full strength and get back into the rotation. Injuries were part of her career at Georgia, but each time she battled back to reclaim her spot as one of the Bulldogs' best. One shouldn't doubt that she will come back again to be a force for her new team.

"(My shoulder) did good in our match against Carolina. Now I have to get back into volleyball shape. I've tried to keep a positive attitude towards everything that has been going on. It has been my dream for the longest time to come back here and play. I really just put it in God's hands to get my shoulder better," said Oquendo.

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