Okiana Valle de Jesús, Most Valuable Player

of the 2026 LVSF Season

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 5, 2026.- Libero Okiana Valle de Jesús, of the Criollas de Caguas, captured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2026 season of the Women’s Volleyball Superior League (LVSF) after receiving overwhelming support in the Yearly Awards voting. Her exceptional performance throughout the campaign positioned her as the most influential player of the tournament, finishing well ahead of several outstanding attackers, setters, and foreign reinforcements in the league.

The results released confirmed that Valle de Jesús accumulated 389 votes, a figure that placed her far above the rest of the candidates. Behind her, outside hitter Karla Santos, of the Atenienses de Manatí, received 232 votes, while setter Raymariely Santos, of the Leonas de Ponce, finished with 101.

Further down the list were Wilmarie Rivera and Helena Grozer, both from the Cangrejeras de Santurce, along with other impactful players such as Jordan Wilson, Neira Ortiz, Jenaisya Moore, Andrea Rangel, and Haley Bush.

The distribution of votes reflects a clear consensus among media members, fans, and authorized team representatives, who recognized the competitive impact the Caguas libero delivered in every appearance.

Upon learning she had been selected as the 2026 Most Valuable Player, Okiana Valle de Jesús described the moment as a mix of surprise, gratitude, and reward for her hard work. She acknowledged that the competition this year was intense and said that even being nominated had already made her feel excited and grateful.

“It was a tough year with excellent players. Just being nominated was already an achievement for me. But running into this surprise… I’m grateful and blessed. God knows when the moment comes, and this year it came,” she said.

She added that the season was not easy, but from the very first day she worked with discipline and purpose, always aiming to reach this level. Even so, she admitted her dream is not complete: “One thing is still missing… winning the championship so it can be a dream season.”

Valle de Jesús also emphasized that although the award recognizes her individual performance, she sees it as a deeply collective achievement. She explained that nothing she does on the court would be possible without the structure and trust of her team.

“This was a team effort, even though many people see it as something individual. If the block isn’t where it needs to be, if the team doesn’t trust me, if they don’t give me the opportunity to do my job, I can’t do what I do. I may be the MVP, but this award belongs to everyone, to the whole team,” she stated.

Reflecting on her historic season, the libero admitted that at the beginning she did not realize she was playing at the highest level of her career, as the statistics did not immediately reflect her impact. However, game after game, as her numbers continued to rise, she began to recognize the magnitude of her performance.

She explained that her progress was not a coincidence, but the result of relentless work ethic:

“There are no breaks. Not even during water breaks. I’m always looking for ways to improve, how to position myself, how to read the game. Watching videos day and night to study my opponents.”

She also revealed that she still has an unfinished goal: breaking the league’s historical record for digs in a single match, a mark she has come close to reaching and continues to pursue with determination.

Looking ahead, Valle de Jesús shared that one of her aspirations is to play overseas to continue her professional development. If that opportunity does not materialize, she would like to return with the Criollas de Caguas to keep competing for championships and individual awards such as MVP and Best Libero.

For her, growth must be constant, both statistically and personally. “Every year I look for a way to show that growth, whether in numbers, passing percentage, or whatever it may be. But also on a personal level.

This year I achieved many things in that sense: learning to handle difficult situations, growing as a leader, helping my teammates and helping myself as well. It has been a different year, good in some areas and not so much in others, but it has definitely been a big one.”

Statistical Performance – 2026 Season

Valle de Jesús delivered the most dominant season of her career, establishing herself as one of the most influential liberos in Puerto Rican volleyball. Among her most notable achievements:

- More than 600 positive defensive actions during the first six weeks of the tournament.

- 80 digs in just nine sets during opening week, one of the highest marks recorded in the modern league.

- Outstanding stability in serve reception, leading multiple matchdays in efficiency.

- The ability to sustain a high competitive rhythm in extended matches, playing a key role in set finishes and pressure moments.

Her consistency, court reading, and emotional leadership made her a reference point for both her team and the league.

The strong backing Valle de Jesús received confirms her as the most recognized defensive player of the season and the new 2026 LVSF Most Valuable Player, a distinction that crowns a historic campaign for the Caguas libero.