OVA News

Melissa with her father Hernan at the 09' Nationals

With a resume that includes back-to-back 18U National Beach Championships, an AAU Junior Olympics Gold Medal and representing Canada at the 2009 FIVB U19 Youth World Championships, no one should be too surprised that Melissa Humana-Paredes has big plans for her beach career. What may come as a surprise is that Melissa has chosen not to play indoor volleyball this season to focus solely on beach.

Melissa’s first love was beach: “I’ve been playing beach volleyball since I was 11 years old, before I started indoor volleyball, which is uncommon in the volleyball world.” However, it wasn’t any easy choice for Melissa to leave indoor behind. Last season, Melissa was a member of the OVA 2009 Provincial Silver Medal Aurora Storm where she was also named an OVA All-Star.

“To give up indoor was a lot tougher than I imagined. When I was driving up to the gym to tell the coach that I was going to commit to beach, I wasn’t that emotional. It was when I got to the gym and saw all these young girls running around in spandex when I started to become emotional. All the memories started coming back and that was when I realized I would have to give up a lot in order to follow my dream. But that’s life. I definitely do miss it, I miss all the girls and the coaching and the sport itself; I love that sport. I’m sad that I’m giving up the opportunity to play varsity volleyball which I’ve been told is an amazing experience; but the things I will be able to experience and learn by playing beach year round is on a whole other level, and I’m thankful I’m able to do it.”

Melissa, by choosing beach, has some larger goals in mind. Short term would be for her to represent Canada at next year’s U19 World Championships and playing in more international events. In the future she would like to be a member of the National Team and compete on the FIVB World Tour and at the Olympics.

She is certainly surrounding herself with the right people. When asked who the biggest influences in her volleyball career have been, she answered, “I’d have to say my dad (Hernan Humana) and my former indoor coach Merv Mosher. My dad has been a huge influence in my life, let alone my volleyball career. Not only is he my dad, but also he’s also my coach and someone I admire. He has always stood by me and has always been supportive with whatever I did. I remember when I was young, just starting to play, he told me numerous times that he would be happy and supportive of whatever I chose to do, whether it was playing volleyball or not. It hasn’t always been easy having my dad as my coach, but he has always tried to differentiate between being a dad and being my coach; and he’s done a fantastic job of making sure of that. He has taught me everything I know and I will forever be grateful to him. He has been with me through the tough times and the great times, and I hope I can share more accomplishments with him.”

“I have known Merv for quite a long time, since I was a little girl and I never imagined having the man whose trampoline I used to jump on in his backyard, be my first indoor coach. Merv is one of the most knowledgeable men I know. I am so grateful to have been coached by him because not only did he teach me so much about indoor volleyball, he taught me a great deal about life and taught me so many important lessons – which I will never forget. He is a kind caring man with everyone’s best interests at heart. I always trusted that Merv would tell me the straight up truth, which was so beneficial. I am so grateful to have been coached by these two, arguably two of the best coaches in Canada.”

Beach volleyball is gaining momentum in Canada at the provincial level and internationally on the World Tour. Hopefully Melissa will be just the first of many young athletes that choose to focus 100% on beach.

Here is some advice Melissa would like to share with any athletes agonizing with the same decision.

“As hard as this decision may be, know that it’s worth it. If you have a strong passion for this sport, then no matter how sad it is to leave other things behind, you’ll be comforted with the thought of finally being able to pursue your goals and move forward in the sport you love.”

Thanks to Melissa for taking the time to share her decision with us. We all wish her the best of luck in the future.

JN