The road has been long, yet a new chapter begins for a seasoned duo. Liliana Fernández from Alicante teams up with Paula Soria, bringing together a wealth of experience and a fresh personal chapter. Their first appearance as partners will come at the La Paz Challenge in Mexico this Friday, followed by a pre-stage of the Pro Tour Elite 16 in Tepic, Mexico, next week. Fernández, originally from Benidorm and now 36, is returning to competition after welcoming a second child. Her partnership with Soria comes after more than 15 years of success alongside Elsa Baquerizo. Fernández is a six-time Spanish champion who has competed in three Olympic Games (London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020) and earned significant European honors in 2013. Soria adds a strong track record on the national stage, including a European sub-22 crown in 2013 and a gold satellite at Montpellier in 2014, plus podium finishes on the FIVB World Tour in Madrid in 2021 and 2022. The new pairing promises momentum for Spain’s beach volleyball scene and bags potential for international results.
Fernández and Soria, born in Benidorm and Orihuela respectively, began training seriously after welcoming their children for the second time last November. They will contend in two tournaments, bringing together two veteran athletes who have known each other for many years, even though they have not previously played together at the highest level. In these first months, both athletes have found chemistry and fluidity in training. They describe a comfortable, relaxed dynamic that translates into their on-court performance, and they credit their families and coaches for balancing personal life with sport.
One point of reflection for the duo has been the adjustment after a long partnership change. They understand the moment of truth is approaching as competition schedules intensify. The immediate goal is to secure strong results, while recognizing that adapting to new rhythms takes time and patience. The athletes welcome the challenge and acknowledge the need to stay focused through the early rounds.
During discussions about the transition, Fernández admitted that after fifteen years with Elsa Baquerizo, Elsa’s name occasionally slips into conversation with Paula. Paula meets this with humor, noting that changing partners was initially more stressful than starting a family again. Still, distractions are kept to a minimum as they prepare for the season ahead.
On the physical front, Fernández reports noticeable improvement. She says she feels much faster, more explosive, and capable of delivering higher jumps. Her assessment places her at about ninety percent form, with substantial gains in speed and power over the last weeks.
Both athletes intend to maintain the roles they established in their training. Fernández will stay on the left as a blocker, while Soria will take the right side as a defender. This arrangement is seen as advantageous and allows them to adapt quickly to different matchups. They emphasize the strengths each brings to the partnership. Soria has long admired Fernández’s peak physical condition, strength, and jumping, even when height wasn’t dominant. Fernández, in turn, highlights Paula’s competitive spirit and relentless work ethic, noting how well Paula reads the game.
With a strong character and shared ambition, the duo believes that their experience can guide them through the early challenges. They are aligned in purpose: to win and to earn a spot at Paris 2024. As they prepare for the early rounds, both players acknowledge that the journey will require clear communication, trust, and steady progress. The moment of truth is close, and the pair is ready to prove they can thrive together on the world stage.