FORMER UST Golden Tigresses middle blocker Maika Ortiz has officially retired from volleyball after 15 years, a decision she described as “bittersweet.”
Ortiz announced her retirement in a social media post on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
“Volleyball gave me so much more than medals, trophies, and memories. It taught me discipline, patience, courage, humility, and the value of hard work,” she said.
“It’s bittersweet. There’s sadness knowing that the routines, the practices, the pressure, the adrenaline, and that feeling of stepping onto the court won’t be the same anymore.”
The Nueva Vizcaya native made her mark with UST as one of its standout middle blockers during the early 2010s.
She helped the Golden Tigresses win the UAAP Season 72 championship in 2010 and went on to earn the Season 74 Best Attacker award in 2012. She also collected a silver medal in Season 73 and a bronze in Season 74, before playing her last year in Season 75.
After her collegiate stint, Ortiz began her professional career with the Philippine Air Force in 2014, before playing for Foton Tornadoes, Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Choco Mucho Flying Titans and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
She also represented the Philippines in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games and 2018 Asian Games.
Ortiz, who turned 35 on Aug. 30, looked back on the years of early-morning training, endless practices and the sacrifices that came with playing volleyball.
Despite the difficulty of leaving the sport, Ortiz said she had no regrets about the journey.
“I may be leaving the game, but I’m taking everything it taught me wherever I go. The athlete I became, the person I am today, and the memories I will forever cherish were built on that court,” she said.
“Thank you, volleyball, for giving me a beautiful journey,” Ortiz wrote. “Forever grateful. Forever a volleyball player at heart.” F
