PRESS RELEASE – Legacy Volleyball Club departed Guam on Tuesday with a delegation of 35 athletes bound for the AMG International Volleyball Tournament in Alabang, Metro Manila, Philippines, marking one of the club’s largest international youth volleyball trips to date.
The athletes will represent Guam in three divisions: 12U, 14U, and 17U girls, competing against several respected Philippine volleyball programs, including La Salle Zobel, Muntinlupa High School, and San Beda Alabang.
For Legacy Volleyball Club, the trip represents more than simply competing in another tournament. It is an opportunity for Guam athletes to gain international experience, build cultural connections, and continue the growth of youth volleyball on the island.
One of the most significant milestones of the trip is the participation of Legacy’s 12U Girls Team. Club officials believe this may be the first Guam-based 12U volleyball team to travel internationally for competition, an accomplishment that could help reshape youth volleyball development on the island.
The club hopes the success of the trip will encourage more elementary-aged teams from Guam to pursue international opportunities in the future.
“If Guam wants to continue growing volleyball at every level, we must continue investing in our youngest athletes,” said Legacy Volleyball Club Director Al Garrido. “Today’s 12U players are tomorrow’s high school standouts, collegiate athletes, and national team members.”
The trip is part of Legacy Volleyball Club’s long-term vision of expanding opportunities for athletes at younger ages while strengthening Guam’s future talent pool. Club leaders believe earlier exposure to high-level competition will accelerate player development and contribute to the growth of future Guam National Teams.
In addition to competition, Legacy Volleyball Club organized a community donation effort to support youth organizations and communities in the Philippines. Players, parents, and supporters contributed canned goods, clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene products, and sports equipment that will be distributed during the trip.
The athletes will stay in Alabang throughout the tournament and will participate in matches, training opportunities, and cultural experiences while representing Guam and Legacy Volleyball Club.
The traveling delegation is led by Head Coach and Club Director Al Garrido and supported by coaches Natasha Garrido, Mike Deausen, Arvin Mestidio, and Kevin Aguigui.
Legacy Volleyball Club, founded in 2022, has grown into one of Guam’s largest youth volleyball organizations and currently serves athletes ranging from elementary school through high school.
Having departed Guam on Tuesday, the delegation now turns its focus toward competition in the Philippines.
For 12U Head Coach Mike Deausen, the trip represents an opportunity that many young athletes never imagined would be possible at such an early age.
“This is a special group of athletes,” Deausen said. “Many of them are experiencing international travel and international competition for the first time. They have worked hard, represented themselves well, and earned this opportunity. We are excited to see them compete, learn, build friendships, and create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Deausen said he hopes the success of the trip inspires future elementary-aged teams from Guam to pursue international opportunities and continue expanding the island’s volleyball pipeline.
“We want these girls to realize that volleyball can open doors and create experiences beyond Guam,” Deausen said. “If this trip helps inspire the next generation of young athletes to dream bigger and work harder, then we’ve accomplished something much larger than wins and losses.”
Legacy Volleyball Club Philippines Delegation
12U Girls Team
* Andi Alisasis
* Mikaela Benitez
* Ayla Caguioa
* Tijana Caguioa
* Abigail Fejeran
* Maxine Garcia
* Tori Hernandez
* Bria Naputi
* Julianna Santos
* Kyra Taitano
* Christiana Thompson
* Gabby Tiong
* Paisley Ward
* Mailee Yurko
14U Girls Team
* Julianna Austria
* Allyse Bantugan
* Mikki Ichihara
* Gessica Jones
* Coco Mauer
* Melody Mestidio
* Serenity Porte
* Natalia Sablan
* Zhraiah Salas
* Zyrene Smith
* Jaydence Ward
17U Girls Team
* Alaiya Aguon
* Eden Caballero
* Areyanna Garrido
* Jasmin Green
* Camden Hattig
* Adailira Manzon
* Kylie Paulino
* Breanna Simina
* Keivi Susuico
* Karisma Tupaz
Coaching Staff
* Al Garrido
* Natasha Garrido
* Mike Deausen
* Arvin Mestidio
* Kevin Aguigui
Tournament
AMG International Volleyball Tournament
Location
Alabang, Metro Manila, Philippines
Travel Dates
June 9–16, 2026
Total Athletes
35
alongside 64 of the world’s best with 20 countries represented.”
