Jia de Guzman is living the dream of playing international volleyball for a position rarely given the opportunity among local talents.

In fact, she’s a trailblazer for Filipina setters after signing with the Denso Airybees as an import in the top-tier Japan V.League since late 2023.

Locally, she’s a household name in women’s volleyball after achieving success from the collegiate ranks with the Ateneo de Manila University to the commercial level with multi-titled club Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League.

A regular fixture in the national team since 2015, De Guzman also captained Alas Pilipinas to soar to greater heights.

Despite the many accolades she has received in her long colorful career, De Guzman holds her recognition as Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Miss Volleyball for the year 2024 as one of the closest to her heart.

“It is a tremendous honor to be acknowledged as this year’s Miss Volleyball and I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Philippine Sportswriters Association for this distinction,” she said in a video message played during the annual awards rites held Monday evening at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

“This is actually a dream come true for me because being a setter in volleyball and playing a non-scoring, supporting role for my team, I’ve always found the most fulfillment in seeing my teammates, my spikers shine,” added the playmaker, who is still in Japan for the ongoing V.League season.

De Guzman’s husband, Miguel, received the award on her behalf.

“But along with a non-scoring position comes challenges, self-placed limitations and even dreams that I thought I would never be able to achieve. Dreams like playing as a setter import in Japan and even receiving a distinctive award such as Miss Volleyball. So, I have to thank all of you for this,” she added.

De Guzman’s effort to lead Alas Pilipinas’ international campaigns last year made her the hands-down choice for the recognition she now shares with other Filipina stars in the sport.

She became the first setter to receive the award to join past winners long-time teammate Alyssa Valdez, Aby Marano, Mika Reyes, Jaja Santiago, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Sisi Rondina and Tots Carlos.

De Guzman towed Alas to a breakthrough bronze medal finish in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation Women’s Challenge Cup and was even named Best Setter.

The eight-time Premier Volleyball League Best Setter winner also saw action in the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup but Alas fell short of advancing to the semifinals.

Alas got redemption in the SEA V.League where they won back-to-back bronze in the two-leg tourney. De Guzman bagged the Best Setter award in the opening leg in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.

“More than sweet victories, there may be even more heartbreaks, failure, falling short, self-doubt, and being put into situations you may feel unqualified for. But I believe it’s in our hardest, lowest points that we see what matters most to us as people and as athletes. It’s when we see why we do what we do,” she said in a moving and inspirational speech.

“Why do we keep waking up at 4 a.m. every day? Why do we train twice, thrice, even more times every day? Why do we power through fatigue, exhaustion, and even injuries? And why do we keep playing even when we’re far away from our families? Our why becomes our purpose,” De Guzman added.