SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 12, 2026.– The Puerto Rican Volleyball Hall of Fame successfully held its sixth induction ceremony, in which 34 new figures were enshrined into this historic entity during an emotional event held Sunday at the John William Harris Theater of the Universidad Interamericana, Metropolitan Campus in San Juan.
The ceremony brought together prominent personalities from national and international volleyball, honoring the legacy of athletes, coaches, referees, and contributors to the sport.
During the event, two individuals were inducted posthumously: Pilar Marie Victoriá López, a former national team member who passed away in Turkey in 2024, and Rosario Vega de Raíces, historic team owner of the Llaneras de Toa Baja in their early years.
The Class of 2026 also marked a milestone by significantly highlighting beach volleyball. Among the inductees, Arnaldo Sánchez stood out as a pioneer of what is now known as the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit. Sánchez also contributed to the development of the Olympic qualification system used between the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and he was the first Puerto Rican to serve on the International Federation’s Beach Commission, as well as president of NORCECA’s Beach Commission.
In beach volleyball, Ángel “Cholo” Pena was also recognized for his outstanding technical work; Pedro “Pedruco” García, the only Puerto Rican referee to officiate in two Olympic Games; along with Amaury Velasco and Raúl Papaleo, both of whom have experience in both beach and indoor volleyball.
In the women’s category, the inductees were Vilmarie Mojica, Tatiana Encarnación, Lourdes Isern, Leslie Ann De Jesús, Xaimara Colón, Alexandra Oquendo, Jessica Candelario, Jetzabel del Valle, Amanda Vázquez, Sheila Ocasio, Yamileska Polannie Yantín, and Sheila Conley.
Meanwhile, in the men’s category, those inducted were Antonio José “Joy” Rivera, José Rivera Caamaño, Ángel Pérez, Fernando Morales, Gregory Berríos, Enrique Escalante, René Estévez, Ángel Aja, Carlos Luis López, Mario Jiménez, Héctor “Popeye” Pérez, and Iván Muñiz.
Additionally, former national team coaches Luis “Papo” García and David Alemán were honored, along with referee Ernesto Ríos.
During the ceremony, Puerto Rico’s Hall of Fame president Pedro Rodríguez highlighted the significance of this class:
“This induction reaffirmed the legacy and evolution of the sport on the Island, while honoring those who have been fundamental pillars in its development at both the local and international levels. In this sixth edition, 34 individuals who made extraordinary contributions to Puerto Rican volleyball were recognized.”
George Mulry, Executive Director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF), was also present at the ceremony. His visit opens the door to a potential nomination of Puerto Rican Ricky Amón to the IVHF, headquartered in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
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