Mizzou Volleyball Insider: Finding a Home Away From Home
9/12/2019 10:04:00 AM | Volleyball
How a Fresh Face for the Tigers Found Comfort Through Her Teammates
COLUMBIA, Mo. - 2,129 miles. This rather large number can refer to an abundance of measurements, but for a Mizzou volleyball player it represents the distance between her childhood home and her current home, Columbia, Missouri.
One of Mizzou volleyball's newest faces, Leandra Mangual-Duran, joins Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana and Andrea Fuentes, completing a trio of Puerto Rico natives in the volleyball program.
"Leandra is incredible in many ways," Interim head coach Josh Taylor said. "Her personality is something every coach wants on their team, she understands how to connect with people and takes criticism well."
Before calling Missouri home, Mangual-Duran resided in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, until moving to Florida when she was 14.
However, Mangual-Duran did not step foot in Columbia until her unofficial visit for Mizzou Volleyball.
"I went for the first time on my unofficial visit and right away it felt like it was the right place to be," Mangual-Duran said. "I wanted a school that challenged me both academically and in volleyball and I thought the atmosphere was incredible."
Mangual-Duran joins the Tiger family after completing an impressive high school career.
Her four-year campaign at Hagerty High School began with 2015 First-Team All-Conference and Hagerty Freshman of the Year honors, followed by earning Hagerty defensive player of the year as a sophomore. Mangual-Duran continued to dominate as an upperclassman, claiming the titles of Varsity MVP and Hagerty Offense and Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior.
After completing her senior season, Mangual-Duran decided to take advantage of the opportunity to start her time in the Mizzou volleyball program early. She graduated a semester ahead of her class and spent the spring in Columbia, getting adjusted to her new life as a collegiate student-athlete.
"I decided to come early because I knew I needed to think about the future despite being mixed with emotions about being away from home," Mangual-Duran said. "I know it was the right decision, I matured a lot because of it."
Regardless of having a semester to adapt to a new state, feelings of homesickness lingered.
Mangual-Duran does not have the same opportunities to see family regularly, in both Puerto Rico and Florida.
"My family is really close so it is hard not getting to see them often, especially my Puerto Rico family." Mangual-Duran said.
Living several thousand miles from family for the first time was not the only challenge she faced.
Puerto Rico and the midwest involve different cultural norms. Mangual-Duran found comfort being surrounded by welcoming teammates, especially the two who understand the toll that homesickness can take.
"Puerto Rico is loud and not a big college atmosphere," Mangual-Duran said. "The other two girls (Santana-Hollingsworth and Fuentes) help bring the culture, but all of the upperclassmen are like my big sisters."
Mangual-Duran is off to a noteworthy start during her first year in a Mizzou uniform. Her statistics so far include nine assists, two aces and 30 digs through 15 sets played. She currently leads the team in digs per set.
What most do not realize is, her statistics are not the only trait that makes her standout.
Before the season began Mangual-Duran was primarily labeled as an outside hitter, but has since transitioned into the starting libero for the Tigers.
"We asked her to play a position she hasn't really played before and she is really embracing it well," Taylor said. "She told me 'I'll do anything to help the team,' and I was immediately impressed with her because that something you rarely hear from someone in this situation."
As she tackles this new role, Mangual-Duran is ready to continue the dominance the Mizzou volleyball program has demonstrated the past few years.
Working as a team and finally showing off their skills is something the rookie Tiger is most looking forward to.
"We work hard, set goals and play as a unit," Mangual-Duran said. "I am excited for everyone to see what this team has to offer."
