Mikaela Dioso-Lopez

• Honest
• Competitive
• Kind
• Determined
• Funny

When working with my teammates I try to be a supportive teammate on and off the court and maintain a positive yet competitive attitude, while still encouraging them to try their very best. I find that no matter what, maintaining a good and positive attitude is the key to success. I also try to be the best person my teammates need, whether it’s a loud and encouraging one, or a quiet supportive one.

2022 Beach OVA Provincials: 5th place finish in 15u and 16u
2022 Beach OVA 16u: x2 silver and x1 gold
2022 Beach OVA 15u: x1 silver and x3 gold
2022 Caribe 17u tournament: 1st place finish
2022 Costa Rican Women’s Open Beach Volleyball National Championship: ranked 7th in the country, and 11th overall at the end of the season.
2021 Caribe Open Tournament: 5th place finish
2019 Costa Rican 12u Fencing National Championship: x1 gold and 2x bronze medalist
2018 Costa Rican 12u Aerial Silks National Champion.

Getting the chance to be able to compete is a blessing in itself. I love competition and getting the chance to test myself under pressure. I am always humbled by competitions, but no matter what the outcome is I’m always hungry for more, and ready to be better than I was before.

I love handwork projects and creating different things. I love it because no matter what, it requires focus, commitment, consistency, patience, and understanding, and it really helps be the best version of myself on and off the court.

I also love reading. I love reading because you get to see into the minds of different people, while also immersing yourself in different worlds and perspectives. Reading also bring me inspiration, and I hope to one day inspire people the way authors have inspired me.

My number one role model is Melissa Humana-Paredes. Because not only is she an amazing athlete and a great defender and an athlete who is able to transition from defence to offence, but she’s also an amazing human being. She works hard for what she wants, she always has a positive attitude on and off the court, she’s a supportive teammate, and she uses her height as an advantage instead of an obstacle. Even if she fails, she comes back stronger than ever and learns from all of her past mistakes. She has inspired me in countless ways and I have been extremely lucky to have met her.

Before I started to take volleyball more seriously, I was also involved with other sports. Aerial silks, fencing, aikido, and soccer were sports I tried and I really enjoyed. It’s really important for me to branch out and try new things to stay humble and always have a beginners mindset, while also seeking mastery in something I love.

I always try to maintain a grade in between 90% and 100% and I’m really proud that I’m able to do that. And maintaining that grade is really important for me to stay consistent and committed to my own process.

A program I would like to attend most in school is English Literature, Law, or Psychology.

I want to be able to make lifelong friends in university, and learn about things that I’m passionate about while living in a healthy environment. I also want to be able to play the sport I love at the highest level, while learning how to be a good athlete, student and human being. Managing a student/athlete life is something that’s important to me. I know it requires a lot of time management and focus but I’m up for the challenge.