Norman Almodovar
Multiple Mastodon Ties in Latest Puerto Rico Volleyball Hall of Fame Class
4/25/2022 2:51:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Puerto Rico Volleyball Hall of Fame welcomed 29 new inductees on Sunday, April 24th and the class featured several ties to the Mastodon men's volleyball program.
The most prominent connection is Norman Almodovar. He was a member of the 1991, 1992 and 1994 IPFW men's volleyball teams that earned berths to the NCAA Tournament. Almodovar was named an AVCA All-American in 1994. He also earned three All-MIVA selections in his career. Almodovar had a long and distinguished international career following his graduation from IPFW. He was inducted into the Mastodon Hall of Fame in 2008.
Pelegrin Vargas Sr. was also honored on Sunday. He is the father of former Mastodon men's volleyball athlete Pelegrin Vargas from 2017-21. The younger Vargas earned three AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors.
Additionally, Vanessa Papaleo was inducted into the Puerto Rico Volleyball Hall of Fame. She is the sister of Mastodon Hall of Famer Raul Papaleo.
"We would like to congratulate and celebrate the induction of all three into the Puerto Rico Volleyball Hall of Fame, " Mastodon head coach Ryan Perrotte said. "The Mastodon men's volleyball program is a family and spans generations. Each of the inductees have immeasurably left their mark on our program both directly and indirectly. Their individual commitment to excelling at volleyball helped make their careers special and the Mastodon men's volleyball program the prestigious program it is today. Norman was an All-American in 1994 and a three-time NCAA final four player and one of the most competitive volleyball players the Mastodon program has ever had; Pelegrin trained his son with the fundamentals and emotional passion to play at a high level, and Pele did just that at PFW becoming a three-time All-America selection; Vanessa's training and talent helped inspire her brother Raul to new heights, as he emulated her play with technical precision as a passer and a smooth attacker. Each of these three players are so rewarding of their induction and hold a special place in the Mastodon family."
The most prominent connection is Norman Almodovar. He was a member of the 1991, 1992 and 1994 IPFW men's volleyball teams that earned berths to the NCAA Tournament. Almodovar was named an AVCA All-American in 1994. He also earned three All-MIVA selections in his career. Almodovar had a long and distinguished international career following his graduation from IPFW. He was inducted into the Mastodon Hall of Fame in 2008.
Pelegrin Vargas Sr. was also honored on Sunday. He is the father of former Mastodon men's volleyball athlete Pelegrin Vargas from 2017-21. The younger Vargas earned three AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors.
Additionally, Vanessa Papaleo was inducted into the Puerto Rico Volleyball Hall of Fame. She is the sister of Mastodon Hall of Famer Raul Papaleo.
"We would like to congratulate and celebrate the induction of all three into the Puerto Rico Volleyball Hall of Fame, " Mastodon head coach Ryan Perrotte said. "The Mastodon men's volleyball program is a family and spans generations. Each of the inductees have immeasurably left their mark on our program both directly and indirectly. Their individual commitment to excelling at volleyball helped make their careers special and the Mastodon men's volleyball program the prestigious program it is today. Norman was an All-American in 1994 and a three-time NCAA final four player and one of the most competitive volleyball players the Mastodon program has ever had; Pelegrin trained his son with the fundamentals and emotional passion to play at a high level, and Pele did just that at PFW becoming a three-time All-America selection; Vanessa's training and talent helped inspire her brother Raul to new heights, as he emulated her play with technical precision as a passer and a smooth attacker. Each of these three players are so rewarding of their induction and hold a special place in the Mastodon family."
~Feel The Rumble~
Players Mentioned
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