Madelaynne Montano and her team Rabita Baku qualified for the final four of the Champions League. What Madelaynne thinks about chance of winning this competitnion? What she is planning for the future? Answers on these questions you can find in our interview!
Let’s start from the beginning. When did you decide that playing volleyball is what you want to do in life?
To be sincere it kind of never was a decision but a matter of luck!!!
Starting to play volleyball some years ago in Colombia was never with the projection of professionalism but had to do more with getting the honor to represent my country at some point.
I stopped playing volleyball in 2005 with my mind set to dedicate my life to having kids and enjoying a normal life.
It was in 2007 after giving birth to my son that I started playing again to get back in shape in my hometown Thessaloniki. After playing for the first time professional with Iraklis Thessaloniki a complete season, the offer to play in Korea came along.
I took it more as a challenge for myself and so went there to try and the rest of it is already history. What started as an attempt to keep myself fitted after giving birth became gradually my profession.
What is the situation in Colombia when it comes to volleyball? It is popular among young people?
Volleyball has never been a popular sport in Colombia. It has gradually grabbed some attention the last two years because of the attempt of the Colombian Federation to develop a team that could compete aiming at the 2012 olympics. After showing some potential the Colombian Olympic Committee also showed interest and are now supporting the project for Rio 2016.
The work is already bearing some fruits as we see our female Junior national team classify to the World Junior Championship 2013.
So its popularity is in the rise.
In 2004, you came to Greece and you played in Aris and Iraklis teams there. What are your memories (experiences) of the time?
My term in Iraklis in 2005 was very short only 2 months after it I stopped playing. Aris 2008 was also very short 3 months as I explained above was an attempt to get back in shape but never with the aim of making it a way of living that is why I always played in Thessaloniki and not in Athens. Both teams were enriching experiences for my career specially Iraklis in 2008-9 season… it was a team with potential to reach higher goals form those set from the club we just needed to believed. Being there also taught me that sometimes more than being capable you also need to challenge ourselves beyond of what we believe is our limits.
Playing in Korea you acquired 54 points in a single match. Do you remember this match?
I do remember the game but it never felt like I was scoring that much.
How would you describe volleyball in Korea?
It is very well organized league in every sense. The competence among the teams is very high and it all comes down to the how well the team is prepared and how the foreigner in every team adapts to the idea of game of the club. It is a school for whoever has the mind to work and the openness to learn something new. My personal experience was very good… where three years in which I made strong bonding with the players, the staff as well as the people that came to the games.
After two seasons you spent on the KGC team, with whom you got two Korean championships you transferred to Azerbaijan. What made you pick Rabita?
Beacause it is a Team with very high goals and it seemed to have everything to reach them.
You started the season from the silver medal in World Club Championships. Do you think you can win the Champions League this season?
I believe our team has everything it takes to be a champion. However, it all comes down to the game on the court.
What is the best memory of your career?
Winning the champioship 2009-10 and 20011-12 in Korea I suppose…
Are you planning for the future? What would you like to do after retirement?
Beside dedicating myself to my family I can barely think now of what could I do… surely something that would allow me to enjoy my family and expend enough time with them.
What is your biggest dream?
To travel around Latin America and Europe with my husband and son some years later and be able to chat with them about the history of those places and how their history some how has influenced their present, way of life and thinking.
