Cristina Cruzado is a Malaga volleyball player who has made it to the elite.

She was only interested in volleyball as a child. She looked forward to visiting the pavilion each afternoon. But she never thought that she would one day be part of the elite.

Cristina Cruzado, 23, is the first Pizarra player to have been promoted to the Women’s Superliga, or Liga Iberdrola de Voleibol, the highest category in Spain. She is still high on her weekend achievement when she was promoted to the Women’s Superliga or Liga Iberdrola de Voleibol with CV Melilla.

Cruzado has been playing this sport since a young age. It is the main sport in her hometown Pizarra. Both men’s and woman’s teams have competed in the second league of the national championships for many years.

Her goal was to be the best she could possibly be with Pizarra. But when another club knocked on her door, she couldn’t say no.

“Melilla hired me because we had played together one year in the national first league. It was difficult at first because I wanted to play Superliga 2 for my team. But it worked out. “I started working as a physiotherapist in Melilla, and they hired me and paid me to play my favorite sport. I couldn’t say no,” said Cristina.

Both teams were promoted into the second division the following season, but only Melilla took the initiative to move their women’s team to the elite. They have achieved this within three seasons.

“We are raising the bar year after year.” “The first year I came here, we were runners up in the Copa Princesa, and we went to a play-off to promote, the second, we were also runners up in the Copa, and this year, we have been promoted,” said the player. Still amazed by what she had achieved, the player continued: “I still can’t believe that I’m going play in the top division, but they still have renew me. It would be a great dream.”

The young player’s joy is overwhelming, as he knows that this was not an easy feat to achieve (only two of the 36 Superliga 2 teams were promoted).

As she looked back, she said that it was not an easy road: “It’s like reaping my childhood sowings, which I have been doing since I was a child.” I have had ups anddowns. Many seasons and bad moments. In the end, all my efforts were worth it. This is what I do best in the whole world, so I never gave up. She said with emotion, “This promotion is dedicated my parents.”

Difficult times

Melilla’s season was not easy either. They had to deal with a restructuring and then the news that their coach had cancer. He had to step down and they were left without a leader for several days until his replacement arrived. The reward for the club’s and players’ efforts has been worth it.

Cruzado’s team may be able to take on new challenges in the future, including the Copa de la Reina competition (only the top eight teams of the 12 competing teams are eligible) or even the call-up to the National Team, something he has dreamed about.

Cristina Cruzado will be the third player from Malaga in the Spanish Superliga next season, as Paula Miguel from Torremolinos and Paula García from Alhaurin both play for Ocisa Haro Rioja Vóley, a team that has had a great season, reaching the semi-finals of the play-off for the title.

The best volleyball player in the region is now playing overseas. Raquel Lázaro, from Benalmádena, is competing with Béziers in France, in one of the highest leagues in Europe, and has played for the Spanish national team for years.