Marlon Yant Herrera is tall, and not just in size. One might think that his immensity was inherited solely from his mother, the renowned basketball player Grisel Herrera; but, to his two meters and four centimeters of height, one must add a profound simplicity ingrained in him from the roots.

At least that's how this editor remembers it, having shared several childhood moments with him.

Perhaps this commitment to always appearing natural, combined with his innate talent, was responsible for pushing him down the path of volleyball, a sport that allowed him to debut on a senior national team when he was barely a teenager. From whom he has learned in every championship.

"I had role models at home. My father was a handball player, and my mother was a basketball player. My inclination for this sport really came after watching a game at the elementary school where I attended, and it caught my attention so much that, a year after starting, I was recruited to enroll at the School Sports Initiation in Villa Clara.

"Little by little, I grew and improved until I reached the national team, where I excelled in various competitions. As a result, I began playing professionally, as the Chaumont club in France signed me in 2018, paving the way for me to later spend four years at the Italian club Lube Civitanova.

"The experience in Italy was the one that left the greatest mark on me, because the team won two championships and I was identified as a key player in achieving those triumphs. I also had a high individual performance, which, according to my teammates, I was also able to transmit to them."

Despite having faced countless opponents, Marlon Yant assures that before each match, he tries to identify his opponent's potential weaknesses so he can arrive mentally prepared. On the physical side, constant training ensures his composure, which is essential for giving his best for the Russian Super League in which he currently competes.

"Teamwork is very important in volleyball. Individuals don't fit in here, and the day they do, you'll lose, even if you're the best player in the world. In this sport, communication is essential so we can support each other and fulfill any role depending on the position we're in.

Not all players have the same role. Some specialize more in blocking, others in passing... My position, for example, is the most complete because I have to do everything, but I place more importance on receiving because it's the first touch of the ball that will guarantee the play and thus the point for the team."

Volleyball has given Marlon the chance to travel and help his family, as well as to continue dreaming. Although being away from home is a bit of a challenge for him right now, he says this is a sport he enjoys playing because it entertains him and contributes to his peace of mind. And his greatest thanks go to his mother, for her encouragement and so much advice.

"My mom has helped me a lot. She participated in three Olympic Games, and I dream of following in her footsteps and being in at least one. I won't stop until I do it, because since I started playing volleyball, her commitment has been so great that she's learned as much about this sport as I have, and she can give me advice.

"That's why my message to beginners is to train, train, and train until you're tired and not give up, because the results come sooner or later if you're willing to put in the sacrifice."

Marlon Yant is today a star of Cuban and international volleyball, and both his awards and his talent speak for themselves. He's earned it through training and teamwork, golden rules of volleyball, a sport he entered by chance once and hasn't been able to leave.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / Cubasi Translation Staff