Volleyball
Why Volleyball Matters at Academia Cotopaxi
Volleyball is one of Academia Cotopaxi’s flagship sports, offering students a dynamic environment to build athletic skill, teamwork, and confidence. Our program welcomes athletes at all levels — from beginners discovering the sport to highly competitive players seeking advanced training and tournament experience. With a strong tradition of excellence and guidance from nationally recognized coaches, volleyball at Academia Cotopaxi empowers student-athletes to grow, compete, and excel both on and off the court.
Team Philosophy
Our volleyball philosophy emphasizes collaboration, strategy, resilience, and respect.
Key Values:
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Discipline
• Sportsmanship
• Growth Mindset
Volleyball Achievements & Tournaments
Academia Cotopaxi participates in ACC volleyball tournaments, Quad School competitions, and regional championships. Our teams have consistently earned top placements and sportsmanship recognition. Many athletes have advanced to competitive club teams, Pichincha state teams, and Ecuador’s Youth National Team.
Meet Our Volleyball Coaches
Varsity Boys — Coach Sebastián Proaño
Sebastián Proaño is an accomplished athlete and coach with experience at the national and state levels. He competed for the Pichincha State Team in indoor and beach volleyball and represented Ecuador on the Indoor Volleyball National Team. His coaching journey includes seasons at Academia Cotopaxi (2022–2023, 2024–2025), Colegio Americano (2023–2024), and Arena Bay Beach Volleyball Academy. Sebastián brings strong technical skill, commitment, and enthusiasm to every training session.
Varsity Girls — Coach Paula Baldeón
Paula Baldeón is a former Ecuador National Team player (2019) and standout member of the Pichincha State Team, where she was recognized as the Best Pre-Youth and Youth Player. She has competed with Ducks Beach and Indoor Volleyball, gaining strong technical and competitive experience. Paula coached at Academia Cotopaxi from 2022 to 2025 and at Arena Bay Academy (Potrero), where she helped develop young athletes through discipline, teamwork, and a passion for the game.
JV Boys — Coach Alejandro Ramírez
Alejandro Ramírez is a veteran Physical Education teacher with 20+ years of experience. His background as a competitive basketball and volleyball player has shaped his hands-on, skill-focused coaching style. With over a decade as a sports coach and as an active member of the USA Coaches Association, Alejandro brings discipline, teamwork, and continual growth to every training session.
JV Girls — Coach Araceli Tipán
A former Pichincha State Team and Ecuadorian Youth National Team volleyball athlete, Araceli Tipán achieved recognition as one of Ecuador’s top-ranked players. She competed as a starter for Filanbanco and university-level teams, and has been a valued volleyball coach at Academia Cotopaxi since 2023.
Skill Development Focus
Athletes develop serving, passing, setting, hitting, blocking, and game strategy, as well as leadership and communication.
