Catching Up With: Genesis Miranda

04.13.2020 | Volleyball

This is the fourth and final part in cyclones.com's series catching up with former Cyclones continuing their volleyball playing careers overseas.

When thinking about where to find high-level volleyball in Europe, Hungary is not the first name that comes to mind. However, for Genesis Miranda, that was where her first destination would be following her two-year career at Iowa State.

“I chose to play in Hungary, because I knew it was a good league for starting my professional career,” Miranda reflected. “There were a lot of experienced players there, and it helped me learn a lot.”

Miranda celebrates a point while playing for her first club, Jászberényi Röplabda, in Hungary.

Miranda wasted no time getting rolling with her professional volleyball career. After completing her final season with ISU in December 2017, Miranda was over in Hungary by February to begin play with Jászberényi Röplabda Klub. About 40 miles east from the capital of Budapest, it was not always easy getting over there.

“It was hard at first in Hungary,” Miranda noted. “The coach did not speak any English and some of my teammates had to translate everything for me. I was able to get used to it, learning a couple of words and able to understand what the coaches wanted.”

Miranda credits her time with Iowa State and the Puerto Rico National Teams for helping her transition to professional volleyball in Europe.

Cyclone Volleyball "Catching Up With" Series

Week One: Hannah Bailey
Week Two: Suzanne Horner
Week Three: Alexis Conaway

After completing the season in Hungary, Miranda made a short, but big, step up in her career, moving to one of the top leagues in the world in Turkey to play for Gümüshane Gençlerbirligi in the Turkish First Division. Though her stay was only a couple of months, with the club getting relegated from the league, she was impressed by the level of volleyball.

“For my second contract in Europe, I chose to go to Turkey,” Miranda said. “For me, it was one of the best leagues in the world. The level of volleyball was extraordinary, it was really amazing.”

After her short stint, she was back to Hungary, this time landing with her current club of Hungast Haladas, located in Szombathely near the border of Hungary and Austria.

Miranda and her Hungast Haladas teammates celebrate a point.

“I am so proud of how I have become a better player,” Miranda said. “I learned things that I did not think that I would be able to do as a volleyball player.”

When reflecting on her journey so far as a professional, she credits her time both with Iowa State and as part of the junior national team system in her native Puerto Rico for helping her achieve what she has.

“For me, being able to interact with teammates is really important,” Miranda said. “I feel the time that I got at Iowa State helped me a lot to become more professional. The time I spent playing for Puerto Rico has helped me adapt to the game and systems in Europe easier.”

Miranda has enjoyed her time in Europe, including being able to explore the new places she gets to play in and visit. Though there are times that she misses home, she also knows that she is doing what she has always wanted to do.

Miranda on the attack for Hungast Haladas.

The easiest part of playing in Europe is making friends. The people are really nice and are always willing to help you with whatever you need. It is hard being away from home, but after time you get used to it. I knew I chose to do this, and I chose to do this because this is my dream.”

Genesis Miranda

Miranda is now preparing for her next season, and even when her time as a player comes to an end, she is hoping to get to spend some more time overseas.

“I would like to continue my volleyball career as long as I can,” Miranda concluded. “After that, I would like to live in Europe, I really love living here.”