Brazilian transgender player debuts in top volleyball league

BAURU, Brazil (AP) — While playing in men's professional volleyball leagues in Europe, heavy-hitting Brazilian player Tiffany Abreu accumulated dozens of trophies.

But she says that among her most important accolades was being named most valuable player for a match with a countryside team Tuesday night as rain leaked from the roof in a half empty gymnasium.

"I had two of those (MVP) awards playing in the men's league. But this is a special one," Abreu told The Associated Press in an interview after the match. "I didn't even know until recently that I could play volleyball again."

Abreu, 33, is the first transgender athlete in Brazil's Superliga , the country's top women's volleyball tournament.