Yuri’s volleyball story began just a little over two years ago when he was 9th grade, simply playing for fun during a church sports activity. What started as a casual introduction quickly turned into a true passion. During that first year, he eagerly joined indoor and outdoor open volleyball sessions, committed himself to learning the game, and discovered a love for teamwork, discipline, and growth. By 10th grade, Yuri earned a spot on his high school varsity volleyball team and was honored to be appointed captain, a role he approached with humility and leadership. To continue developing his skills, Yuri joined the NYC Raptors volleyball club, where he gained valuable experience, played with amazing 16’s 17’s boys competing throughout New York City, upstate, and participated for the very first time in the Boston Nike Festival Volleyball National Qualifier tournament. At the end of his 10th‑grade season, he received his school’s Sports Leadership Award and Most Valuable Player Volleyball Upper School (Boys) Award for Private/Independent Schools in 2025 and was recognized by his club as one of their top defensive players—milestones that motivated him to work even harder.
Today, Yuri continues to play varsity volleyball and compete with NYC Raptors in different states and including the first NYC Open Volleyball held in Javits Center in February 2026. He was recently selected to play in the Boston Nike Festival National Qualifier 2026 for the second time, where his team proudly earned second place (Silver Medal) for the 17U bracket. This summer, Yuri has the incredible opportunity to compete at the 2026 AAU Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships, taking place July 6th–10th in Orange County Convention Center (Orlando). To make this possible, we are humbly asking for support to help cover six weeks of intensive training, travel, and accommodations. Any contribution will directly support his ability to compete at the national level and continue pursuing a sport he truly loves. We are deeply grateful for the encouragement, prayers, and generosity that have carried Yuri throughout his high school sports journey. Thank you for being part of his journey and for supporting his dreams. With love, Garcia Fam