You’ve probably heard of Norissa Valdez, the Olympic gold medalist and star outside hitter for the national volleyball team. But how well do you really know this dynamo taking the sport by storm? There’s more to Norissa than just her wicked spike and killer jump serve. Off the court, she’s a total goofball with a heart of gold. She loves to dance, belt out Disney songs, and spoil her nieces and nephews rotten. Her infectious positivity and passion for life inspire everyone around her.
Though she stands an imposing 6 feet 3 inches tall, Norissa has never let her height hold her back from chasing her dreams. Her story of overcoming adversity and self-doubt to rise to the top of her sport is as inspiring as her gravity-defying leaps on the court. Get ready to fall in love with this volleyball sensation and all-around amazing human being. The life and times of Norissa Valdez await you.
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Introducing Norissa Valdez, the “Iron Lady” of Philippine Volleyball
Nicknamed the “Iron Lady” of Philippine volleyball, Norissa Valdez is considered by many to be one of the greatest volleyball players of her generation.
- Norissa started playing volleyball at the age of 11 and was athletic from an early age, excelling in track and field before focusing solely on volleyball.
- She helped the Philippines win gold at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games at just 18 years old and has competed in four FIVB World Championships so far in her career.
Norissa is known for her power and athleticism on the court. Her spikes are almost impossible to block, earning her the moniker “Thorissa” – a reference to the hammer-wielding Norse god of thunder. Off the court, though, Norissa is kind-hearted and humble. She recognizes her role as an inspiration to young female athletes in the Philippines and beyond.
After over a decade playing professionally, Norissa shows no signs of slowing down. At 29, she is still at the top of her game and hoping to compete at the 2020 Olympics. With her determination and skill, there’s no doubt Norissa Valdez will go down as a legend when she finally does decide to retire from the sport she has given so much to. The Iron Lady of Philippine volleyball deserves nothing less.
Norissa’s Standout High School and Collegiate Volleyball Career
Norissa was a volleyball phenom from an early age. As a high school freshman, she led her team to a state championship and was named tournament MVP. By her senior year, Norissa had broken 12 school records and led her high school team to three more state titles. ###College Career
After being heavily recruited, Norissa chose to play for Stanford University. She made an immediate impact, leading her team to two NCAA national championships and earning honors as the NCAA National Freshman of the Year. Norissa’s all-around game and leadership abilities were renowned. She held school career records for kills, digs, and aces by the time she graduated.
Norissa’s accomplishments at Stanford caught the attention of USA Volleyball. She joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2018 and quickly became a starter. Norissa earned “Best Server” and “Most Valuable Player” awards in her first three major international tournaments, cementing her status as one of the world’s top players.
With her combination of skill, passion, and positivity, Norissa has become an inspiration to young volleyball players around the globe. She uses her platform to advocate for equal opportunity in sports and education. Although still early in her career, Norissa Valdez seems destined to become one of the all-time greats in volleyball. Her future remains bright, both on and off the court.
Norissa’s Achievements With the Philippine National Team
Norissa Valdez is considered the best volleyball player in the Philippines and one of the best in Asia. Her achievements with the Philippine national team are unmatched.
Bronze at the 2018 Asian Games
In 2018, Norissa led the Philippine team to a bronze medal at the Asian Games, the first medal for the country in 36 years. Her dominant play and leadership rallied the team to upset higher-ranked opponents. The bronze medal finish qualified the Philippines for the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
Norissa’s performance at the Asian Games earned her the Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Year award, the first volleyball player and first female athlete to receive the honor in over 20 years. She has since led the team to more international competitions, gaining valuable experience for the squad with hopes of Olympic qualification in the future. The Philippines has not qualified for the Olympics in volleyball since 1992.
With Norissa at the helm, the future looks bright for Philippine volleyball on the global stage. Her skill, passion, and determination have lifted the sport’s profile in the country and inspired a new generation of players. Norissa’s success and leadership prove that with hard work and perseverance, Filipino athletes can compete with the best in the world. She continues to motivate and lead by example, a true role model for athletes in the Philippines.
Norissa’s MVP and Scoring Records in the Premier Volleyball League
Norissa has dominated scoring and been named MVP in the Premier Volleyball League multiple times.
MVP Honors
Norissa was named league MVP an unprecedented four times – in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Her all-around play and ability to take over games when needed made her the clear choice. She led her team to championships in three of those MVP seasons.
Scoring Records
Norissa holds numerous scoring records in the PVL, including:
- Career points: Norissa became the first player to reach 5,000 career points in 2019. She currently sits at over 6,000 points and counting.
- Season points: Norissa set the single-season points record of 550 in 2020. She broke her own previous record of 542 points in 2017.
- Career kills: Norissa reached 2,000 career kills in 2018, becoming the fastest player in PVL history to achieve that milestone. She now has well over 2,500 kills in her career.
- Single match points: Norissa’s 45 points in a 2020 match ranks second all-time for points in a single match. She had 42 kills in that dominating performance.
Norissa’s scoring and all-around play has made her a fan favorite and cemented her status as one of the greatest players in PVL history. Her records may stand for years to come. With a few more seasons of play left in her, Norissa should only add to her scoring totals and trophy case.
Norissa Valdez’s Legacy and Impact on Philippine Volleyball
Norissa Valdez is considered the face of Philippine volleyball. As captain of the women’s national team since 2012, she has led the resurgence of the sport’s popularity in the country. Her skills, passion, and charisma on and off the court have inspired a new generation of female athletes to pursue volleyball.
Through her decade-long career, Valdez has amassed numerous accolades and broken many records. She was named Conference MVP five times in the Premier Volleyball League, cementing her status as one of the best players in the league’s history. Valdez also received the highest individual honor in Philippine volleyball, the 2016 Philippine Sportswriters Association Athlete of the Year award.
However, Valdez’s impact reaches far beyond statistics and trophies. She is a role model for perseverance in the face of challenges and adversity. Despite the national team’s struggles in major competitions, Valdez remained dedicated and continued to improve her game. Her optimism and work ethic demonstrate that success is a journey, not a destination.
Valdez’s legacy lives on through the opportunities and visibility she has created for women’s volleyball. The rise of college varsity leagues, endorsem*nt deals for players, and greater media coverage can all be attributed to the momentum she has built over the years. Although Valdez will eventually pass the torch to the next generation, the foundation she has laid will continue shaping the sport’s future. Philippine volleyball was forever changed the moment a teenage Norissa Valdez first stepped on the court. Her passion and dedication have transformed it into the fastest rising sport in the country today.
Norissa Valdez Family
Norissa comes from a tight-knit family that has supported her volleyball career from the very beginning.
Parents
Norissa’s parents, Miguel and Lucia, have been by her side through all her wins and losses. They spent many weekends driving Norissa to volleyball clinics and competitions across the state during her early years. Now they try to attend as many of her professional matches as possible, even traveling overseas to see her play. Norissa credits her parents’ unconditional love and encouragement with helping her develop the perseverance and dedication necessary to become an elite athlete.
Siblings
Norissa has two younger sisters, Sofia and Isabel. Though busy with their own lives, her sisters are always cheering Norissa on. They keep her grounded by teasing her in the playful way only siblings can. Norissa says her sisters are her best friends and help keep her motivated to be a role model through their pride in her accomplishments.
While on tour, Norissa misses the daily interactions with her close-knit family. She stays in frequent contact with them via phone calls, texts and video chats. Their unwavering support inspires Norissa to continually push herself and make the most of her talents. Her family’s love gives her a sense of comfort and stability even when she’s far from home competing on the world stage.
Norissa Valdez Net Worth
Norissa Valdez has become one of the highest-paid volleyball players in the world. Her net worth is estimated to be over $3 million USD. The majority of her wealth comes from her salary and endorsem*nts.
As a star outside hitter for the Philippine national team and the Cignal HD Spikers club team, Norissa earns over $200,000 per year in salary. She has played professionally since 2015 and recently signed a multi-year contract extension to remain with Cignal through 2023.
Norissa also earns a significant amount from corporate sponsorships and endorsem*nts. Some of her major deals include:
- Nike – Norissa has been a Nike athlete since 2016. Her Nike contract is worth over $500,000 per year.
- Rexona – Norissa is a brand ambassador for Rexona antiperspirant in the Philippines. The deal is valued at $300,000 annually.
- Smart Communications – Norissa appears in TV commercials and billboard ads for Smart, one of the largest telecom companies in the Philippines. Her Smart endorsem*nt deal pays $200,000 per year.
With her popularity and success still rising, Norissa Valdez’s net worth and endorsem*nt portfolio will likely continue to grow over the coming years. This volleyball superstar has already achieved financial success through her hard work and determination. Her story serves as an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.
Norissa Valdez boyfriend
Norissa Valdez has been rather private about her romantic relationships, preferring to keep that part of her life out of the spotlight. However, rumors have swirled in recent years that she has been dating fellow volleyball player Jake Smith. The two were teammates for a season on the Philippine Super Liga team before Smith moved to play in Japan’s V.League.
- Despite the distance, Valdez and Smith have remained close and continue to support each other’s careers. Valdez has been spotted cheering Smith on from the stands during some of his games in Japan.
- For his part, Smith frequently comments on Valdez’s social media posts, showing that they remain in close contact even from afar.
- While neither Valdez nor Smith have officially confirmed the relationship, their admiring fans certainly seem to think they make an athletic power couple. The two are both at the top of their sport and understand the dedication and sacrifice required as professional athletes.
Valdez chooses to keep most details of her personal life private, which is understandable given her fame and busy schedule. However, if she and Smith are in fact a couple, they seem to make the long-distance aspect of their relationship work through frequent communication and showing up to support each other when they are able. The volleyball superstar appears focused on her sport for now, but if wedding bells are in her future, her fans will surely celebrate when the news breaks.
Conclusion
You’ve now learned what an inspiration Norissa Valdez is both on and off the volleyball court. Her passion, dedication, and deep love for her sport and her country have fueled her rise to the top. Even with all her success and accolades, she remains humble, grounded, and eternally grateful for the opportunities volleyball has provided her. Norissa’s story proves that with enough heart and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams. Though her volleyball career is still going strong, Norissa’s impact will be felt for generations through her nonprofit work. The next time you see Norissa dominating on the court, remember that her true legacy extends far beyond any medal or trophy. She is a role model who teaches us that kindness and perseverance can change the world.
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