By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense volleybelle Caroline Santos has officially announced her decision to step away from professional volleyball as she sets her sights on becoming a medical doctor.

In a social media post, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles middle blocker reflected on the end of her volleyball journey and the start of a new chapter in her life.

“Closing a chapter that made me who I am today. Now, I begin another — time to get that MD in my name,” Santos wrote.

Following Santos’ announcement, ZUS Coffee paid tribute to the middle blocker, thanking her for her role in helping establish the franchise’s volleyball program during its early years in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

“We hope that someday, when you look back to your days in volleyball, you’ll have a sense of pride as someone who has helped start the ZUS Coffee volleyball program with the rest of your fellow Thunderbelles,” the team said in a statement.

“Thank you for being a part of the fam, Caroline Santos! And we wish you the best in what’s next in your career and life,” it added.

Santos was part of ZUS Coffee’s early lineup in the PVL, and was considered one of the players who helped lay the groundwork for the team during its formative seasons.

Her departure adds to the roster changes for the Thunderbelles as they move forward ahead of the upcoming PVL conferences./ASC, WDJ