Raúl Papaleo Pérez (born October 11, 1971), more commonly known as Raúl Papaleo, is a former beach volleyball player from Puerto Rico. He won the bronze medal in the men's beach team competition at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, partnering with Ramón Hernández.

College

Papaleo played college volleyball at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. He was an AVCA All-American in 1992 and 1993.

Beach volleyball

In 1995, Papaleo won the AVP qualifier in Denver in beach volleyball. That same year, he played in the pre-Olympic qualifier for Puerto Rico. In 1996, he was named AVP Rookie of the Year. Raúl Papaleo and Ramon Hernandez represented Puerto Rico in the 2004 Olympics which were held in Athens. This was the first time in the history of Puerto Rico that the island was represented in beach volleyball in an Olympic competition.

Papaleo finished in second place at the 2006 NORCECA Men's Beach Volleyball Continental Championship along with Joseph Gil.

At the 2008 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, Papaleo won first place at the Carolina Beach Volleyball Tournament along with Ramón Hernández.

Professional indoor volleyball

Papaleo played locally for the Caribes de San Sebastián in the Liga de Voleibol Superior Masculino of Puerto Rico.

In 2008, Papaleo was contracted by the Guaynabo Mets of the Liga de Voleibol Superior Masculino.

See also

  • List of Puerto Ricans
  • Sports in Puerto Rico

References

  • U.S. Volleyball News
  • Purdue Hall of Fame profile