University of Minnesota Athletics
Santana Set to Compete In Olympics
8/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Daly Santana and Puerto Rico is set to open the 2016 Rio Olympics against powerhouse United States, Saturday, August 6. Puerto Rico then battles Serbia on August 8 and China on August 10 at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Santana, a Corozal, Puerto Rico native, was one of four outside hitters named to the 12 athlete roster. It marks a historical team, the first Puerto Rican team to ever qualify for the Olympic Games. Puerto Rico was the last team to qualify for Rio and accomplished the feat on May 22 in a straight-set win over Kenya. Hosting the Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico won all three matches against Algeria, Colombia and the Olympic clinching match against Kenya.
The Olympic roster spot tops off a great year for Santana. The 2015 Big Ten Player of the Year helped Minnesota to its first Big Ten title since 2002. A First Team All-American, Santana finished her career with 1,644 career kills, 182 aces and 1,280 digs, all of which ranks in the top 10 in Minnesota school history. Since concluding her Gopher career, Santana played professionally for the San Juan Capitalinas, where she was named the league's most valuable player and helped the team to a runner-up title.
Santana is one of seven Gophers competing in Rio this summer and among the dozens of Gopher Olympians to compete over the Games' history. Please help support the next Gopher Olympian by giving to our Olympic sports programs. Click HERE for more information or to give today.
Mama I made it. #Olympics2016 #TeamPUR pic.twitter.com/wBgUNzGwO4
- Daly Santana (@dsantana_01) August 1, 2016
