Janisa Johnson
Janisa Ivette Johnson[1] (September 22, 1991 – May 25, 2024) was an American volleyball player.
Early life and education
Johnson was born in September 22, 1991 in Long Beach, California. She attended California State University, Long Beach.[2]
Career
She would first play in Europe when she joined German side Köpenicker SC in 2015 before playing in Finland and France.[2]
Premier Volleyball League
She would play in the Premier Volleyball League in the Philippines from 2018 to 2019 where she played as an import or foreign player.[3] She would debut in the PVL with the BaliPure–NU Water Defenders at the 2018 Reinforced Conference. In 2019, she would help the Petro Gazz Angels clinch the tile for that season's Reinforced Conference and was named the Finals MVP.[4] This was her club's first PVL title.[5]
Return to Europe
After playing in the Philippines, Johnson would return to Europe and signed with Polish club Radomka Radom of the Polish Women's Volleyball League.[4] However in March 2021, Radomka Radom announced that Johnson is rendered unavailable for the rest of the 2020–21 season. The reason would be reported a few days later as due to a colon cancer diagnosis.[6]
After undergoing cancer treatment, Johnson would briefly return signing a contract with Spanish club CD Heidelberg in August 2022.[6]
Illness and death
IN 2021, Johnson would be diagnosed with colon cancer which caused her to go in a hiatus to seek treatment.[6] She underwent chemotherapy.[7] In August 2022, she would reportedly recover enough to play competitive volleyball again.[6]
However she would die on May 25, 2024.[7]
References
- ^ "Imports show wares in new PVL season". The Philippine Star. May 22, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Winiarczyk, Michał (June 4, 2024). "Nie żyje była siatkarka polskiego klubu. Walczyła z poważną chorobą". Sport Wprost (in Polish). Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "Remembering Janisa Johnson: Beloved spiker passes away at 32". Premier Volleyball League. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Garcia, John Mark (June 4, 2024). "Former PVL champion import Janisa Johnson succumbs to cancer". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Payo, Jasmine (July 14, 2019). "PetroGazz dethrones Creamline for first PVL crown". Rappler. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Media, Wirtualna Polska (June 4, 2024). "Tragiczne wieści z USA. Nie żyje słynna siatkarka". sportowefakty.wp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Former PVL import Janisa Johnson passes away at 32". GMA News. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.