Alejandrina Mireya Luis Hernández, often referred to as Mireya (born 25 August 1967),[1] is a Cuban former volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist. She won gold medals at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics with the Cuban women's national volleyball team.[2][1] She was the captain of the Cuban team from the late 1980s until her retirement.[3]
At the age of 10, Mireya started playing volleyball.[2] At 16, Mireya joined the Cuban national team for the 1983 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal.[4] She competed at the 1987 Pan American Games, again helping Cuba win the tournament.[1][5] She won additional gold medals at the Pan American Games in 1991 and 1995.[1]
World Cups and World Championships
In 1985, Mireya won a silver medal with the Cuban team at the FIVB World Cup, where the Chinese led by Lang Ping won the gold.[4] In that tournament, Mireya was named the "best attacker".[4] In 1989, she won her first FIVB World Cup gold medal with Cuba, and was awarded as the "best spiker" and "most valuable player".[4] She won additional gold medals at the 1991 and 1995 FIVB World Cup, being selected as the "best attacker" in both tournaments and the "most valuable player" in 1995.[4][6]
After a brief hiatus due to a knee injury that required surgery in 1990, Mireya resumed play and became a dominant force on the team.[4] Mireya won her first Olympic gold medal in 1992 in Barcelona.[4] She would win her second Olympic gold medal in 1996 in Atlanta.[9][4] Although she contemplated retiring after winning her second Olympic gold medal, she continued playing for the national team.[10] Mireya achieved her third Olympic gold medal in 2000 in Sydney, and soon after retired in 2001.[4]
Mireya's vertical jump
Mireya was known for her spectacular jumping power, reaching 3.39 meters (11'1"), more than any other player, though being only 1.75 meters (5'9") tall.[11][2]
