Jean Paul Gonzalez, an 18-year-old outside hitter from San Juan, has experienced a whirlwind of emotions this year, proudly representing Puerto Rico in both the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 and Men’s U21 World Championships. He emphasizes that each day brings new learning opportunities.
“It’s a long tournament,” Gonzalez reflected. “One day you lose and then you win. But we keep going every day, staying positive and getting better in our game.”
He described the challenge of transitioning from the comfortable U19 level to the more intense U21 stage, which features taller opponents and faster play. “Honestly, I love being in the U19. It’s like my level and then going to this higher level, it’s tough,” he admitted. “But you can go through it if you have patience, and you have to enjoy the game.”
He also noted that playing alongside more experienced teammates has facilitated his adaptation. “You get more experience through the time you play with them. I love it, I love them.”
His dedication to improvement was evident even during his high school years. While attending Colegio San Jose de Rio Piedras, Gonzalez earned the title of Puerto Rico’s Player of the Year in 2024, accumulating numerous MVP awards and championships with both his school and club teams. These accolades, including the Angel Matos Challenge, Copa FPV, and the Caribbean Volleyball Tournament, eventually drew the attention of U.S. collegiate scouts.
The recruitment process had its difficulties. “You get recruited and you just start sending emails to the coaches and then they talk to you,” he explained. “Before I was going to GCU (Grand Canyon University) but they closed the program, so I had to find another way. Then I finally prepared to do so. They helped me out.”
A new academic and athletic chapter awaits him at Purdue Fort Wayne, where Gonzalez is set to begin his freshman season. “It’s a good feeling,” he shared. “You get to play in a high-level volleyball program. I’m excited and just getting better this offseason, then play to see how the level goes.”
He expressed surprise and enthusiasm upon learning that Purdue Fort Wayne was the alma mater of Lloy Ball, the USA setter who won an Olympic gold medal at Beijing 2008. “Wow, I didn’t know that,” he exclaimed. “I will be going to a good program.”
In Puerto Rico, where sports like baseball and basketball traditionally dominate, Gonzalez gravitated towards volleyball early on. “When I was young, I started playing with my friends,” he recounted. “My brother used to play basketball, but I didn’t like the physical contact. So, I went with volleyball because it’s more distance, and you play with your team and get closer to them. That’s why I chose volleyball.”
His decision led him to the highly competitive Puerto Rican national team. “It’s just being proud of yourself that you could make the team,” Gonzalez stated. “Right now, in Puerto Rico there are a lot of good players, and they do the tryouts. You have to work hard so you can get to the team. I’m proud of myself, work hard, love the game and enjoy it.”
He finds balance and enjoyment in his life back home. “Honestly, I love living in Puerto Rico,” he affirmed. “I love beach volleyball. In Puerto Rico, we usually have more fun time. And I love balancing studies and volleyball. I love it.”
Gonzalez emphasized his team`s commitment to continuous improvement. “We plan to get better each game,” he asserted. “We’re passing good, but we have to work harder on offense because the block is pretty high. We have a lot of teams that are good on their blocks. So, we’re planning, from the loss, to get better at it. We’re trying to at least get top 15 at the World Championship.”
When questioned about handling pressure, Gonzalez offered a concise reply:
“It’s a bunch of emotions. But you just have to keep going.”
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood