After a spectacular playing career and now coaching, Florida State assistant beach volleyball coach Raul Papaleo had his number retired at his alma mater, Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW).
A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, he competed with IPFW while earning a degree in supervision. While a part of the squard, Papaleo helped to lead the Mastodons’ to two consecutive Final Four (1991, 1992) appearances, also taking the MIVA title in 1992. In both 1992 and 1993 Papaleo was named an NCAA All-American and in 1992 MIVA Player of the Year, the school’s 1993 Athlete of the Year, also earning a spot on the IPFW Hall of Fame in 2007.
Papaleo played in 448 sets during his time with IPFW – ending his career with 1,309 kills, 747 digs and 324 blocks. During his 1992 MIVA Player of the Year run, Papaleo hit for .340 with 490 kills, averaging 3.71 kills per set. As a freshman in 1990, Papaleo took over as teams setter, dishing out 1,146 assists.
The number is just the second number retired in Mastodon volleyball history, next to Papaleo’s fellow teammate Lloy Ball.
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