A proud student of Island Academy International, set to graduate in June 2026, this young athlete has already built a name for himself through discipline, resilience, and an undeniable love for volleyball. At just 16 years old and standing 5'8", he is determined to prove that greatness isn’t defined by height or age — but by heart, sacrifice, and relentless work ethic.
His volleyball journey began in 2021 at age 12, when he was introduced to the sport during a PE class at school. What started as simple curiosity quickly turned into passion. He joined the after-school club and began training consistently, laying the foundation for what would become an inspiring athletic career.
In 2022, during seventh grade, he competed in his first inter-schools tournament. The loss was heavy, but it ignited something powerful within him — a hunger to improve and a love for the game that only grew stronger.
By 2023, his hard work paid off when his school team won the inter-schools indoor championship. That same year, he stepped onto the sand for the first time after being encouraged by Coach Olsen Joseph (Karat) during indoor U23 practice. He competed in the ECVA U21 Beach Volleyball Tournament in St. Kitts, placing 5th as the youngest player in the competition. He later competed in the ECVA U23 Indoor Volleyball Tournament in BVI.
In 2024, he earned MVP honors while leading his school to another inter-schools indoor championship victory. He also competed internationally at the CAZOVA U19 Beach Volleyball Championship in Tobago, a World Championship qualifier, and secured 3rd place at the ECVA U21 Beach Tournament in St. Kitts.
The 2025 season marked a historic chapter for Miguel. His school team won their third consecutive inter-schools indoor title — making history for Island Academy International. He and his beach partner placed 7th at the ECVA U21 Beach Tournament in St. Kitts, earned silver at the ECVA U23 Indoor Volleyball Championship, and made his senior indoor debut at the XVIII Senior Men's Pan American Cup in Mexico — once again the youngest player on the roster. He also made his NORCECA beach debut at the final stop in Juan Dolio, continuing his trend of competing fearlessly against older, more experienced athletes.
A setter for High Flyerz Volleyball Club, he thrives on the adrenaline and rhythm of indoor volleyball, though he values both beach and indoor equally. Volleyball has given him more than medals and milestones — it has taught him discipline, resilience, self-belief, and authenticity. It has revealed a drive within him that he never knew existed.
After graduation, he plans to attend college in the United States, where he will study marketing while playing collegiate volleyball. His ultimate goal is to compete professionally.
More than anything, he wants his journey to inspire others. He wants young athletes who feel limited by their height or age to understand that limits are often self-imposed. What truly matters is how much you are willing to sacrifice, how hard you are willing to work, and how deeply you believe in your dream.
For him, volleyball is more than a sport — it’s a rush of adrenaline he never wants to stop chasing.
