Against all odds, Jamie Solina, a 5-foot-1 setter from Marinduque, showcased unyielding resolve as she navigated the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Combine in pursuit of her lifelong dream.
Solina entered her name to the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft with hopes of making it to the big league and fulfilling her deep-seated desire to become a professional volleyball player.
After overcoming numerous challenges in her young career, Solina now finds herself on the cusp of joining the country’s only professional volleyball league.
"Sobrang saya po kasi nung pagpasa ko po kasi ng requirements, parang sinabi ko, 'no expectations,' kasi siyempre we all know naman po na UAAP, NCAA [mga nagpasa]," Solina shared during the first day of the Combine at the Gameville Ball Park.
"So nung nakita ko po 'yung mga [nakapasok], sobrang answered prayer po kasi talagang pinag-pray ko po 'yun."
Solina never imagined she would be competing alongside some of the Philippines' brightest collegiate stars.
Despite numerous setbacks that nearly derailed her dream, she persevered.
Solina has been playing volleyball for nine years in Quezon City, but a family problem forced her to move to Caloocan and then Marinduque. She spent two years in the province before reigniting her pursuit of a professional career.
"Nung elementary po ako hanggang Grade 9 po is dito po ako sa Maynila naglalaro po ako sa QC, tapos napunta po akong Caloocan, unexpected din po nangyari sa family namin kaya nag-two years ako sa Marinduque po," Solina recalled.
"Then since sa sobrang pagmamahal ko po sa sports, and gusto ko maging pro po, nag-try out po ako, nag-senior high po ako sa Makati po. Paiba-iba po ako ng school."
Solina returned to Manila to try out for UAAP and NCAA teams, but the COVID-19 pandemic paused her aspirations.
"Nung magka-college na po ako, gusto ko po sana mag-try out sa UAAP or NCAA kaso nagka-pandemic po. Wala po akong nagawa since wala rin po ako gano'n kakilala," she said.
Eventually, Solina found herself studying at Marinduque State University. Despite the school’s lack of a women’s volleyball program, her determination never wavered.
She self-trained for almost four years, using everything she learned in high school to keep herself in shape.
Solina also kept in touch with friends in Manila to seek tips and advice.
"Kahit sa Marinduque pa rin po ako nag-college, tas walang women's volleyball doon, to be honest, so puro ako self-training, four years po," said Solina, one of three provincial draft applicants in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft.
"So kung ano lang po 'yung naiwan sa aking experience nung junior high ako saka senior high na dalawang taon, 'yun po lang 'yung ginamit ko all throughout nung college ko po para maging kondisyon pa rin po 'yung katawan ko kahit wala po akong exposure sa malalaking competitions po."
Growing up far from the bright lights of the UAAP and NCAA, Solina understands that the climb toward her long-held dream will be challenging.
But the product of Marinduque State University remains hard at work, knowing that her pursuit is much bigger than her personal dream.
"May part po sa akin na pinaghihinaan po ako parang ngayon kasi siyempre 'yung height po ba, but because of 'yung mga taong nagtitiwala sa akin, [napu-push] ako na kayanin ko kasi marami pong nagtitiwala sa akin," said Solina, who idolizes Alas Pilipinas setter Jia De Guzman.
"Sobrang 'yun po 'yung nagpa-boost sa akin na sige, ituloy ko, kasi 'yun din po 'yung magiging inspirasyon din po ng mga mas bata sa akin na nagba-volleyball, lalo na galing probinsya po. So sobrang gandang experience po," she continued.
"Kung magkaroon ‘man po ng opportunity na matanggap po ako, paghihirapan ko naman po. Naniniwala naman po ako na lahat ng nangyayari, sa training din po talaga pino-program, inaayos.”
