JULES Samonte is trading the volleyball court for a new and much bigger role.
Samonte is stepping away from professional volleyball as she prepares to enter motherhood, with the veteran winger currently pregnant and expecting her first child with Rain or Shine guard Felix Lemetti.
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The 27-year-old announced her decision in a heartfelt social media post, closing a volleyball journey that began in her early teenage years and went on to span nearly half her life.
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“Now, as I step into my greatest role yet, becoming a mother, I’m choosing to close this chapter with nothing but gratitude,” Samonte wrote.
“It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the game that has been such a huge part of my life, but my heart is sooo full knowing that this ending is making way for a beautiful new beginning.”
Samonte made her mark at Ateneo as the UAAP Season 79 Rookie of the Year before helping the Lady Eagles win the Season 81 title in 2019, a year after also ruling the 2018 PVL Open Conference with Ateneo-Motolite.
She later turned pro with Perlas before stints with PLDT, Chery Tiggo and, finally, Galeries Tower.
More than the accolades, Samonte leaves the game grateful for everything it gave her since she first played volleyball. And while her playing days are over, Samonte hopes the game will remain part of the story she shares with her daughter.
“For almost half my life, it has been so much more than a sport,” she wrote.
“Volleyball will always be a part of me and one day, I hope my daughter grows up knowing that her mom once chased a dream with all her heart,” she said.
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