The volleyball world is in shock: Pilar Marie Victoriá, a talented 28-year-old outside attacker from Puerto Rico, was found dead in her apartment in Bursa, Turkey. Her club, Nilüfer Belediyespor, had signed her for the upcoming season, but when she did not show up for the first training session on Thursday, club officials began to worry.
“Our athlete, who did not participate in the morning training, was found lifeless in her bed after club officials reached her home,” Nilüfer Belediyespor announced on social media. The news of her death spread quickly and left not only her club but the entire volleyball community in deep shock.
Cause of death unclear and investigation initiated
The circumstances of Pilar Victoriá's death are still completely unclear. The public prosecutor's office immediately launched an investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of her sudden and tragic death. Until then, the volleyball community is left in uncertain grief and with many unanswered questions.
“The sudden loss of Victoria, who was a role model for her sportsmanship and character from a young age, has shocked us all,” the Turkish premier league club said in a public statement. In addition to the club, many fans and other volleyball players around the world also expressed their condolences.
An impressive career
Pilar Victoriá leaves behind not only a sporting gap, but also a deep human legacy. She not only played for the Puerto Rico national team, but also demonstrated her outstanding skills at the universities of Texas and Arkansas. Her volleyball career took her across different continents: after stints in Italy and France, she most recently played in the French top league for Béziers Volley and later for Chamalières before returning to Puerto Rico.
She also attracted international attention in 2018 when she competed in a match against German champions Allianz MTV Stuttgart. Her tragic death marks the abrupt end of an up-and-coming career that could have seen many more successes.
Her Cuban boyfriend Roamy Alonso Arce (27), who plays for Gioiella Prisma Taranto in the Italian first league, is particularly affected. The two have a long-standing, loving relationship that ended abruptly and far too soon.
Family and friends in mourning
The loss also hits her family hard. Her younger sister Sofia Victoriá (22) currently plays at the renowned University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The family must now cope with what is probably the hardest loss of their lives. Her club expressed its deepest condolences to the family, relatives and friends and once again emphasized how much Victoriá's contribution to the team was appreciated.
In the coming days and weeks, the volleyball world will continue to look more closely at the investigations already underway to gain clarity on the cause of Pilar Victoriá's death. Until then, the shock and sadness will remain as fans and players remember the good times and extraordinary sportsmanship of this remarkable athlete.
