Mireya Luis

With an athletic, powerful frame and a commanding presence, Mireya Luis stands as one of volleyball's all-time greats. Born Alejandrina Mireya Luis Hernández on 25 August 1967 in Camagüey, Cuba, she is Cuban and of Mixed-race (primarily Black) heritage. Her career spanned 1981 to 2000, beginning when she was around 13 years old and lasting 19 years.

Mireya earned three Olympic gold medals with the Cuban women's national volleyball team, winning in 1992, 1996, and 2000. She captained the Cuban team from 1985 until her retirement. In 2004, she was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Standing 5'9" and weighing 152 lbs, she brought both power and precision to the court. Today, she remains a celebrated figure in the sport, with an Instagram following of 22k.