VENTURA SURPRISE MVP ON 5TH PLACE WARRIORS

St. Paul Warriors senior right side hitter Rui Ventura’s naming as the 2023 IIAAG Boys Volleyball League MVP doesn’t come as a shock because of his talents, it’s because his team finished second-to-last in the standings with a 3-7 record.

St. Paul, did though, ‘shock the world’ with an upset win over the eventual league champion FD Friars midway through the season.

Normally given to the best player on the best team, the naming of Ventura as the MVP speaks volumes of the mild-mannered senior who didn’t have the supporting cast other candidates had. Rui was clearly a special talent this season with a vertical unmatched and a feel for net play only a few possess.

In 11 games, Ventura had 182 kills, 35 blocks and 12 aces!

Congratulations to IIAAG MVP Rui Ventura and the rest of the All-Island selectees.