Cuban setter Gretel Moreno Borrero, hailing from Bayamo, has achieved a remarkable victory in the French Women's Volleyball League with Volley Mulhouse Alsace. They triumphed over the two-time defending champions Levallois Paris Saint-Cloud in the finals, securing a 3-1 win with scores of 22-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-22.
This victory, celebrated on May 1 in a fully packed stadium in Mulhouse, not only marked the club's fourth league title—following wins in 2017, 2020, and 2021—but also completed a historic domestic treble in French women's volleyball: the French Super Cup, the French Cup, and the league championship all in a single season.
A Stellar Season for Moreno Borrero
At 28, Moreno Borrero has proven herself indispensable as a setter during an exceptional season for Mulhouse, which wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 23 wins and just one loss.
In the playoffs, the team overcame Bordeaux Mérignac in the quarterfinals with a 3-2 score and defeated Volero Le Cannet in the semifinals, winning both matches 3-1. In the initial match against Le Cannet, the Bayamo native was named the most valuable player.
Key Performers in the Final
During the final showdown, Kjersti Strong led Mulhouse with 16 points, while Alondra Vázquez contributed 14 critical points. On the opposing side, Finnish player Emmi Tolvanen's serves were impactful, and young opposite Cyrielle Depie scored 22 points, though it wasn't enough to halt the home team's comeback.
The Cuban Volleyball Legacy
Born on January 30, 1998, in Bayamo, Granma Province, Moreno Borrero joined Cuba's national pre-selection team at just 14 years old. Her professional career has taken her to leagues in Peru, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and France, following in the footsteps of other talented Cuban volleyball players who have excelled in European competitions under different national flags.
This tradition of Cuban volleyball players moving abroad is well-established. Dayamí Sánchez was the first Cuban to play in Turkey's league, while Heidy Casanova also built her career overseas after leaving the island. Rosir Calderón, meanwhile, bolstered the ranks of Volero Le Cannet in France, the same country where Moreno Borrero is now making her mark.
In 2021, there were 43 Cuban volleyball players contracted in foreign leagues, including countries like France, Brazil, Italy, and Turkey, a figure that underscores the ongoing exodus from Cuban sports.
WorldofVolley hailed the team's collective achievement as "one of the most successful in the club's history," as they concluded the season by sweeping all available domestic titles in French women's volleyball.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Volleyball Players Abroad
Who is Gretel Moreno Borrero?
Gretel Moreno Borrero is a Cuban volleyball player known for her role as a setter. She has played in leagues across several countries, including France, where she recently helped Volley Mulhouse Alsace secure a league championship.
What achievements did Volley Mulhouse Alsace accomplish in the recent season?
Volley Mulhouse Alsace achieved a historic domestic treble by winning the French Super Cup, the French Cup, and the league championship all in one season.
How many Cuban volleyball players are currently playing abroad?
As of 2021, there were 43 Cuban volleyball players contracted in foreign leagues, including those in France, Brazil, Italy, and Turkey.