For 17-year-old Maicol Isaac Ortiz, the past year has been a journey of extensive travel, encountering fresh challenges, and gaining invaluable experiences away from his home country. As an opposite hitter, he proudly represented Colombia in two significant global tournaments within a few months: the FIVB Boys’ U19 Championship in Tashkent and the FIVB Men’s U21 tournament in Jiangmen, China. These demanding competitions not only put his skills to the test but also revealed the stark reality of competing against teams boasting superior preparation and professional backgrounds.
Ortiz reflected on the extensive travel, noting, “Each trip was incredibly long, around 22 to 23 hours to reach Uzbekistan for the U19 event, and similarly for China. However, these journeys were beneficial, offering me the chance to explore diverse nations and compete against more experienced players.”
The disparity between volleyball standards in Colombia and international scenes quickly became apparent to Ortiz. While domestic competition is infrequent, many of his international adversaries are engaged in year-round training and play in professional leagues.
He elaborated on this contrast, stating, “Back home in Colombia, we typically participate in just two tournaments annually. Yet, many of the athletes I’ve faced here are already integrated into professional leagues, playing continuously.”
Despite the contrasting levels of preparation, Ortiz consistently excelled as a scorer. At the U21 championship, he amassed 71 points, showcasing his impressive offensive capabilities through powerful attacks, solid blocks, and effective serves. These statistics underscore his vital role in leading Colombia’s offense against more powerful and experienced opponents.
Among his standout performances was a match against Cuba, where he contributed an impressive 24 points in a closely contested five-set battle. This remarkable effort ensured Colombia remained competitive until the very end, proving his ability to perform exceptionally well against some of the tournament’s top young talents.
Expressing his outlook, Ortiz stated, “I consider myself a very joyful player. I dedicate significant effort to my training to ensure I’m prepared for each tournament, and I believe our team possesses great potential. However, to truly develop, we require more competitive matches against international teams.”
As Ortiz forges his career path, he draws strength from role models. While he admires various volleyball stars, such as Brazil’s Darlan Souza, his most profound source of inspiration comes from Liberman Agamez, a celebrated figure in Colombian volleyball. Prior to the championship, Agamez personally contacted Ortiz, offering words of encouragement that solidified his dedication.
“I had a conversation with Liberman, and he sent me a message,” Ortiz recounted. “He reassured me that I possess both the training and the team support necessary to represent Colombia effectively. He truly is my idol.”
The mentorship from someone like Agamez, combined with the valuable international playing opportunities, provides Ortiz with a clear vision for his future. He recognizes that his growth is contingent upon not just domestic training, but crucially, continuous international exposure where the competition is more intense and the demands greater.
Addressing his growing fanbase, Ortiz conveyed both gratitude and resolve: “A sincere thank you to everyone. We are committed to working tirelessly. Our aspiration is to achieve something truly remarkable for our nation. What we primarily need is sustained support, opportunities to compete internationally, and to accumulate invaluable experience.”
His words encapsulate a dual message: a promise to persevere and bring pride to Colombia, alongside an appeal for the backing necessary to compete globally. For Ortiz, each journey, every game, and every single point contributes not merely to his personal journey, but significantly to the broader development of Colombian volleyball.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood