Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete announces retirement after 26-year volleyball career

Veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete officially announced her retirement from professional volleyball on Thursday, January 8, drawing the curtain on a remarkable career that spanned 26 years across the grassroots, collegiate, club, and professional levels.

Her announcement came just days after parting ways with Premier Volleyball League (PVL) powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, ending her nine-month stint with the franchise.

The 34-year-old confirmed the news through a social media post, where she reflected on her journey and expressed gratitude for a sport that shaped most of her life.

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“Volleyball has been the source of so much joy for me in the past 26 years of my life. It taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and respect, making the volleyball court feel like home and my teammates and coaches like my family,” Dimaculangan-Villarete wrote.

DMAC-AKALIMUTAN 🥹🫶

After a storied career filled with multiple awards and titles dating back to her collegiate days, decorated setter Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete closes the chapter on her playing career.#PVL2026 #TheHeartOfVolleyball

📸 PVL, Instagram | @rheadmac pic.twitter.com/bcA6ed6ThL

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 8, 2026

“Being an athlete has shown me what it means to show up every day and giving my all. It taught me how to dream big and relentlessly pursue those dreams. It has also given me opportunities to meet some of the most incredible people and live in the most memorable moments of my life.

“And with that, I am forever grateful for all the valuable lessons volleyball has taught me and the countless blessings it has brought to me. Closing this chapter is bittersweet, but it will forever be truly special. Volleyball will always be a part of me and so will everyone who shared this journey with me.

“Till next time. Maraming salamat!,” she concluded.

Dimaculangan-Villarete rose to prominence in collegiate volleyball after steering the University of Santo Tomas to the UAAP Season 72 women’s championship, earning Finals MVP honors along with the Best Server award.

Her success carried over to the Shakey’s V-League, where she collected three championships, a silver medal, two Best Setter citations, and a Finals MVP. She later starred in the Philippine Superliga, capturing four titles and three runner-up finishes with Foton and Petron, while also being named the 2018 league MVP.

She made her PVL debut with the PLDT Power Hitters in 2021 before joining Creamline, with whom she earned two bronze medals. Her most recent campaign concluded in the 2025 Reinforced Conference—closing out a decorated career defined by leadership, consistency, and championships.

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