CANDELA RUANO FIUZA

Class of 2025 | Setter
Greenwood Village, CO

5'9"
HEIGHT

Left
HANDED

4.2
GPA

CANDELA RUANO CV

NHS CERTIFICATE

My motto: “Persevere, show up, good things happen."

The Spanish name Candela means “mujer luminosa” and comes from the Latin “candēla” which means “light that shines in the dark”. Many teammates and coaches call me Candy.

I am an international player with the U17 Spain Women’s National Volleyball team, a young starting Varsity setter at Cherry Creek High School, and a National Division medallist at USAV GJNC.

I am a highly competitive and very coachable athlete who likes to win and doesn't keep it a secret and a demanding but extremely supportive and caring setter who leads by example, putting in the time inside and outside of practice and always working as hard and smart as I can in every aspect of my game. In short, I am constantly striving to become the best setter, teammate and leader I can possibly be, whether that is at practice, during competition, hanging outside of the gym, cheering hard from the bench, or leaving it all out on the court.

As a National Honor Society AP/Honors trilingual student, my dream is to find a college where I can continue my volleyball career as a high achieving student-athlete with the goal of winning a national championship.

2023 - CEV U17 2nd Round Best Setter Award

2023 - U17 Spain Women's National Team

2022 - 5A Regional Champion

2022 - USAV GJNC Bronze Medal Winner

2021 - USAV GJNC Open Bid Winner

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It has been a pleasure to coach Candela during her 16's season. She has some of the best ball placement I have ever seen from an athlete her age. She has the ability to make an incredible, fast-tempo, set out of just about any pass. It actually becomes easy to overlook her ability based on the ease that she sets with. This season Candela made huge improvements as a 5-1 setter being offensive with setter dumps, as well as improving her defensive reading and movement. She demonstrated steady leadership on and off the court all season serving as Team Captain and helping the team navigate through a few difficult situations. Candela is a hard working, determined, and positive young lady whose love of the game shines through every time she is in the gym. It was a joy having the opportunity to coach her!

Danni Jenkins

16s Mizuno Club Coach
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Colorado Volleyball Association

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Candela’s personality truly defines that of a setter. She is a natural leader, who maximizes her team’s potential, energy and competitiveness. She always leads by example putting in the most time and effort to become the best she can be for her team. She is a learner of the game. Constantly wanting and gaining more information, reflecting on both failures and successes and then applying that knowledge and reflective feedback to increase her effectiveness as a setter, teammate, and leader. Candela is the absolute competitor that any team would be lucky to have on their side of the net!

Sarah Reilly

14s Open Club Coach
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Colorado Juniors

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I had the pleasure of coaching Candela during her 14U club season and the best way to describe her is the ultimate competitor. When Candela came into the season, we already knew she had the ability to set the ball for us, but we ultimately pushed her to be a better defender and excel behind the service line, and she did just that. By the end of the season and into her high school and further club career she is leading her teams behind the service line and establishing ace records, digging hard driven balls she wasn’t a year ago and becoming a much more dynamic setter with literally each passing match. It is truly remarkable to see, and I can’t wait to continue watching her game grow!

Tarah Harms

14s Open Club Coach
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Colorado Juniors

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One of the players with the best work ethic I’ve ever coached. Very proud and honored to be a small part of your volleyball career. You are a testament to the improvement possible when you work your butt off inside and outside of practice. You are a natural leader on the court, in practice and in matches you set the tone by staying focused, working hard and pushing others to do the same. Extremely committed to the team and to self improvement. Thank you for a great two years, you’ve grown into an extremely mature leader and one hell of a setter, and I have no doubt this is just the beginning for you. Very, very proud of you Candy.

Tammy Shotkoski

13s Open Club Coach
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Colorado Juniors

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Candela is a special player and a young lady that I will never forget. I had the privilege and honor of coaching the first club team that Candela played on. In all of my years in coaching, I have never seen a player develop so quickly and so drastically in one season. Candela went from a player that could not overhand serve to our best server, jump serving to zones in games. She went from my middle and right-side hitter who rarely served or played back row to our best setter (at times running a 5-1) and one of my best back row defensive players. Candela's ability to receive and apply instruction and correction is phenomenal and she truly is a coach's dream in regards to work ethic, being a team leader and most importantly having a great attitude. The true icing on the cake of Candela is the amazing person she is on and off the court. She is kind, intelligent, warm and funny. I could go on and on but will close by saying I know Candela will do great things in volleyball and life and I am so proud to have been a part of her introduction into this amazing sport that we all love.

Michelle Grace Blubaugh

12s Club Coach
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Momentum Volleyball

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Candela, you have become a true setter this season. The difference between this season and last season is incredible. You are setting with intent and purpose. It has been fun watching you progress this season. I am looking forward to seeing an even more improved Candela next November!

Kevin Marquis

13s Club Director
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Colorado Juniors

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Great work ethic & teammate.

5'9"
HEIGHT

Left
HANDED