Mexican Rangel on the move to Russia’s Dinamo Metar

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, August 12, 2020 – Star outside hitter Samantha Bricio won’t be the only Mexican national team player competing in the 2020-2021 edition of the Russia League.  Opposite Andrea Rangel is set to take the same route after she signed with Dinamo Metar. 

The 27-year-old Rangel, who has captained the Mexican national team for several years now, will have her first experience of playing in Europe next season with Dinamo Metar, who returned to the Russian top division in 2014-2015 and finished 11th in the last two campaigns. 

“I’m very grateful about this opportunity especially considering the difficult times we’re living in,” she told Mexican website Zocalo. “I decided to look for an opportunity to play in Europe this season and fortunately Dinamo were interested. I should travel to Russia in the next few weeks so I can join the team and start chasing my dreams.” 

After playing for Mexican club ITESM Monterrey in the first three seasons of her career, Rangel spent the last five years in Puerto Rico, playing for Orientales de Humacao and Changas de Naranjito. She last played a match on March 4, when the Puerto Rican season was suspended. 

“I’ve been working out with weights and doing some cardio since then to keep my form,” the 1.80m-tall Mexican explained. “I’ve tried to work a little bit with the ball as well because keeping my strength, my form and my touch is very important.” 

Rangel has been a member of the Mexican national team since 2010 and has appeared in some major international tournaments, including the 2014 and 2018 FIVB Volleyball World Championships, the 2014 and 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, the 2011 Pan-American Games and the 2020 NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament, where she was voted best spiker. 

Her older brothers Jesus, who recently retired, and Pedro are also longtime members of the Mexican men’s national team.