Today we’d like to introduce you to Delaney Santibañez
Hi Delaney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
What first started my inspiration in volleyball was my mom. I remember the exact day when the spark happened. My mom showed me a video of her indoor team at Alabama in 2002. I saw the way the whole team had so much fun traveling, working hard, playing volleyball, and making bonds that can last a lifetime. After that day I knew what I wanted to do! So I started to do a league at Rancho Volleyball Club in California for about two months in 2019 then COVID hit! My parents decided sometime in August 202o to move to Georgia! My family and I officially became residents of Georgia on January 5th, 2021. Once I moved I started to play softball to try something new! Softball lasted for a year. Then my mom and I heard about a rec league for indoor volleyball in Fayetteville! So I started that and it lasted for about a month. But, while I was in the league my mom was my coach! After that, my mom and I soon joined the club A5 South for indoor volleyball! My mom became a coach there and I played for the 14-2’s. This whole time since middle school I was homeschooled. I found a school team that takes homeschoolers who can play for their school! When I was in the 8th grade I played on the JV team for about 2 weeks. I really liked my experience at KONOS Academy so I decided to join their school in 2022. I made the Varsity team there my freshman year. Then my mom became the JV coach. But something happened with the Varsity coach so my mom became the new coach! This year was one of the best years of my life! I won the state with the best team ever, I went to my first dance, and I got closer to God through that school! Also having my mom as my coach was a blast!! But at the beginning of my fall ball, we did a team bonding at the AVP tournament in Atlanta! If you don’t know what the AVP is it’s a pro beach volleyball tour that does tournaments across the USA to compete! I did not think much of the tournament, I even despised it! But then it hit me! While I was watching these games This sudden spark started to grow in me. Nothing like I have felt before. It was a feeling like no other knowing this was the life I wanted to lead. I wanted to be the best! Players like Miles Partain, Paul Lotman, Brandie Wilkerson, and Melissa Humana-Paredes pushed me over the edge to start my beach volleyball journey, to start making a name for myself, and to imagine a lasting future. After my Indoor volleyball season for school, I decided to join the beach volleyball club A5 Beach! I stayed there for about a year with the coaches Ali McColloch, Morgan Hill, Gabriela Roney, and my mom Denee Ezerins-Santibanez! I learned so much from that club! The coaches were the best and truly cared for me. Sadly I could not go there anymore because the drive was too much for my mom. So then I decided to go to the club MVP. But this year I did not go to KONOS anymore and went back to being homeschooled. My head coach was Rachel Marsh and my mom. I loved this club dearly as well as A5 Beach! I have been so blessed to have coaches who care and really support me! When I started MVP I started to go to Total Athlete training facility. It helped me grow so much in my game physically and mentally! The people there are the best and have the same goals! The coaches there really care about their athletes. I have made so many friendships there. The coaches are Dwight Johnson, L.J., Mitch, and Christian Gonzalez! Sadly the club MVP closed down but since then I have been practicing at their courts, still with my mom, and some practices at A5. But I recently returned from Washington, California, and Texas for camps, showcases, and tournaments! I am now independent with my mom until she opens up her beach volleyball club called Tidal Wave! For the rest of the year, I will be working hard to reach my goals in college and to reach the Olympics. I know it will be a rough road, but a fun road is not a smooth road.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Challenges I have faced were bullies, parents, and coaches. I say this because in my indoor year, the girls were really mean and the moms did not like me as well. They did not like how certain things happened to me and not their child. Coaches in my indoor years would yell at me and curse at me. I can take all of that but it is not necessary for coaching in my opinion. Once I joined beach it was hard. A lot of girls would talk about me behind my back and be petty. It was really hard my first year. I felt like I was not growing and on top of that the girls bullying. A big struggle I can say a lot of people go through is mental. I would tell myself “You can get that” or I would just beat myself up and be so hard on myself. I still have to remind myself that everyone makes mistakes and that I need to take a breather once in a while. I am still going through those challenges today but that’s life! I have grown up with bullying since I have known! especially in elementary school. I have a rare skin condition called Mastocytosis. So I grew up with brown spots on my body that looked like bruises. I have been called to CPS about 3 times because they thought I was getting abused. This took a toll on my mom and me. When I was younger adults would give me a dirty look because of how I looked, dressed, or acted. I was an enthusiastic little girl and would be very friendly. I guess my parents did not like that about me. So yes the road has not been smooth. But then again what’s the fun in that.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Beach Volleyball player and I am mainly a blocker/split-blocker! I would say I am known for how big I am and how loud I can be on the court! Also, I get from others how kind and hardworking I am. I feel like I am most proud of how much adversity I have pushed through! I would say my work ethic and my mindset are what set me apart from others. Especially for me, it’s really hard to find someone who’s all in for beach volleyball.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would say it is important to take risks in your life. Because if you don’t take a risk you get no reward. I would say I am a risk taker. Not many people strive for the Olympics because it’s “too hard” or “it’s too risky”, but I am taking that risk and hopefully can reach it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delsanti_vball2026/?locale=de&hl=am-et
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVBujVYZ82KaZPjI3NN2aw
- Other: https://volleyballlife.com/player/90589
Image Credits
Denée Ezerins-Santibañez
Peter Santibañez
Cait Kilkelly
