Player Profile Series: Clo Mondoñedo’s journey to setter glory

Long before she took the helm as captain of ZUS Coffee and earned the prestigious titles of NCAA Season 99 Best Setter and Most Valuable Player, Cloanne Mondoñedo never imagined her path would unfold the way it did. 

Her story wasn’t shaped by certainty, but by detours, doubt, and the quiet power of unexpected opportunities. 

Growing up in Oriental Mindoro, Mondoñedo explored almost every sport she could find. She initially dabbled in athletics, then shifted to table tennis—her father’s sport—and even gave football a try, but it wasn’t until a school intramural event that her curiosity for sports transformed into a true passion.

She recalled stepping onto the volleyball court for the first time, completely unsure of herself, until a teacher recognized a spark in her and told her she had potential—worlds that would quietly shape her future.

Encouraged by her mother, a former volleyball player, Mondoñedo began competing in local leagues, though her progress remained gradual.

As she advanced to larger meets and provincial competitions, the harsh reality of high-level play set in. There were moments she didn’t even get the chance to step on the court—a humbling experience that left her on the bench, reflecting in silence and building quiet determination.

Rather than giving up, she trained harder, secured better gear, and poured herself into a sport that had yet to fully welcome her. Her perseverance finally bore fruit when she earned a spot in the prestigious Palarong Pambansa—where her evolving talent caught the eye of a coach who would soon redefine her path.

Mondoñedo had been playing as a spiker when Coach Jerry Yee first saw her in action.

During a routine sequence, she executed a set—not her position, just a moment—and that moment changed everything.

“He asked me, ‘Are you a setter?’ I said no. Then he said, ‘You’ve got good hands—and you’re a lefty,’” Mondoñedo recalled.

Yee handed her his number, and within a week, she moved to Manila. At Hope Christian High School, she toggled between being a spiker and setter but had her heart set on one thing: following Coach Yee wherever he went. 

When Yee joined De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, she followed. By NCAA Season 95, she was officially a Lady Blazer.

The transition to becoming a full-time setter was anything but smooth for Mondoñedo, who often felt overwhelmed and on the verge of giving up, convinced that the role might not suit her. 

The position demanded sharp precision, mental resilience, and seamless coordination—qualities she was still developing. Her coaches were unwavering in their expectations, pushing her to rise to the challenge. 

When the pandemic forced a pause in all sports activities, it unexpectedly gave her the space to reset and refocus. She returned more determined than ever, undergoing intense training under Coach Jerry Yee, who tirelessly guided her through the intricacies of setting. 

By the time she was back on court, what once felt unfamiliar had become second nature; where she once only knew how to execute basic open and quatro plays, she now moved with instinctive confidence and control.

Along her journey, Mondoñedo realized that being a setter shaped more than just her game—it molded her character. She grew more composed and decisive, traits that influenced her both on and off the court.

Despite topping the setting charts in Seasons 97 and 98, the Best Setter award continued to elude her. She often wondered what more she needed to prove, especially since she longed to earn the accolade not just for herself, but as a tribute to Coach Jerry Yee, known for producing elite setters. 

In Season 98, she even incorporated scoring into her game, hoping to tip the scales in her favor—but the recognition still didn’t come.

By Season 99, she had quietly let go of the dream, accepting that some things simply weren’t meant to be. The shift in mindset opened a new path. Knowing that serving was one of the award’s criteria, she channeled her energy into that area instead, aiming to deliver at least one or two aces per match.

Then, when her name was finally announced as the Best Setter, emotion took over. But the surprises didn’t stop there.

When NCAA executive Sir Dax Castellano revealed she had also won MVP, Mondoñedo was in disbelief—so much so that she half-jokingly asked if it could be taken back. After all, MVPs are rarely setters.

One NCAA official reminded her just how extraordinary the achievement was. Ironically, it was only when she stopped chasing the recognition that it found her—twice over.

Reflecting on her years at Benilde, Mondoñedo felt she had transformed completely. “I used to think I had limits. But here, I felt like I could do anything,” she said. 

She credited the open, communicative environment and the values of inclusion and empowerment that Benilde fostered. Those values, she promised, she would carry with her as she moved on.

To the next generation of Lady Blazers who would one day take her place, Mondoñedo offered heartfelt, grounded advice: to stay committed, embrace their roles fully, and find joy in every match. 

She emphasized that true passion and purpose are what keep the fire burning in tough moments. Mondoñedo hoped the legacy and high expectations her batch had left behind wouldn’t weigh too heavily on those who followed. 

Even as she moved on, she promised to stay connected—ready to cheer them on and lend support, no matter where their journeys would take them.

At just 12 years old, Mondoñedo stumbled into volleyball by chance. She sat on benches, trained alone, changed positions, and wrestled with doubt. But what she could control, she did—relentlessly. With grit, patience, and faith in her mentors and herself, she rose.

One Best Setter award, one MVP trophy, and three NCAA championships later, Mondoñedo left college volleyball as one of the sport’s finest.

After helping steer Benilde to an unbeaten three-peat, she joined ZUS Coffee (formerly Strong Group Athletics) in the PVL Reinforced Conference in July last year. 

Alongside former Benilde teammates Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa—and still under the guidance of Coach Jerry Yee—she looked forward to continuing their story at the professional level.

“Our familiarity is a big factor,” she said of her team. “It will help us bond and communicate better.”

And as she began drawing plays in the pros, the same girl who once couldn’t get court time in the province was now setting the tone on the national stage—proving that sometimes, the best journeys are the ones you never planned.

During the 2025-26 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Mondoñedo showcased her exceptional skills by delivering an impressive 177 excellent sets, boasting a remarkable success rate of 11.98%.

Her outstanding performance earned her a well-deserved spot as the fourth-best setter of the entire conference.