A defensive lineup is beginning to look a little different.
The Grand Rapids Rise announced this week that they have signed liberos Jena Otec and Valeria León for the 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation season.
Otec was signed to the roster on Tuesday. Her path to the Top is undeniably unique. The product of Crystal, Missouri, excelled at Purdue University, where he spent five years. While in West Lafayette, she had the second-most digs in program history (1,850). She was given an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention twice and made the All-Big Ten team twice. Otec helped the Boilermakers reach the NCAA Tournament in each of her five seasons, including two Elite Eight appearances.
After her collegiate career finished in 2021, Otec transitioned to coaching. She was an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University in 2022 before spending the final two years at Western Kentucky University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
However, after years on the sidelines, Otec is anxious to get back in the game.
“I’m most excited to compete at the highest level of the Pro Volleyball Federation in 2025,” Otec stated in a statement. “I enjoy teaching and my profession, but I’ve always wanted to play and compete. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect with peers who I’ve played with and against in college and who share my enthusiasm for the game.”
The former St. Pius X High School product confesses that her time as a coach has given her a new perspective on the game, rekindling her desire to play again.
“After coaching for a few seasons at the collegiate level, I gained a different perspective on my game. I’ve learned so much about the sport through teaching, and I’m anxious to incorporate that into my individual game.”
León offers extensive expertise to the Rise’s defense. She was a member of the Columbus Fury during their inaugural season. The Puerto Rican competed in all 24 matches, totaling 270 digs and 24 digs in 87 sets. She recorded double-digit digs twice, including a season-high 24 against the Orlando Valkyries on March 3.
The Fury finished fifth in the PVF, four games behind the Rise for the last playoff position.
“I’m very excited to be joining Grand Rapids for the 2025 season,” León told me. “After the team’s remarkable season in 2024, I’m thrilled to bring my passion, energy, and love for volleyball to Grand Rapids and help drive the team’s continued success.”
León spent six years in her home country playing with Leonas de Ponce, Criollas de Cauguas, Indias de Mayaguez, and Lelanderas de Toa Baja before moving to the United States to pursue a professional career. During the 2022-23 season with Leonas, she was crowned the best libero in the Puerto Rican league.
León, like Otech, was a great Big Ten defensive player who honed her technique during four seasons at Ohio State University. There, she set program records for the most digs (1,795) and digs per set (3.51). She also has 404 assists and 97 aces for the Buckeyes, helping the team advance to the national tournament three times.
The liberos are expected to replace Camila Gomez and Sarah Sponcil, who were instrumental in the Rise’s first-year run to the PVF Championship.
Grand Rapids presently has 11 of the available 14 roster places filled for the 2025 season.
