Catching up With Rebel Alum Mapie Bakima

June 21, 2016

By Kim Ling
Associate Athletics Media Relations Director

"There are lessons that you can't get out of a book, they are waiting for you at the other end of a flight," said Ole Miss volleyball alum Marie-Pierre "Mapie" Bakima of her experience this past year living and playing professional ball in Peru.

For Bakima (Paris, France), venturing outside of her comfort zone is nothing new. She traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and spent two years in Texas at San Jacinto Junior College before coming to Ole Miss for her final two years of collegiate volleyball.

After helping the Rebels set several records in 2014 in head coach Steven McRoberts' first year and graduating from Ole Miss in May of 2015, Bakima went back home to France and pondered her next move.

Six months after graduation, Bakima traveled to Lima, Peru to begin her professional career with team Circolo Sportivo Italiano.

She helped the team finish eighth and make the playoffs, before they were eliminated by the No. 1 seed in the first round. Bakima said she enjoyed her first professional experience and learned a lot.

"While I am not completely satisfied with my personal performance, I have definitely made progress," Bakima said. "I gained more volleyball experience in a country that is world ranked in the top 25 on the FIVB. The experience was such a blessing and I am definitely looking forward to applying what I learned on the next team I play for."

Bakima played in front of a packed house at Gillom plenty of times, but in Peru she discovered quickly that volleyball is a big deal.

"Volleyball in Peru is pretty popular [second national sport after soccer] with huge crowds at every game, especially for playoff matches," Bakima said. "They get lots of support off the court and people would start to recognize me on the streets and in stores which was a unique and very cool experience."

A typical schedule for Bakima included one team practice every day (except on game days) from 7-10 p.m., an hour of serve/receive from 9-10:15 a.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays and weights three times a week.

Outside of volleyball, Bakima had plenty of time to explore the country.

"Lima is full of museums and parks," she said. "The architecture there is incredible. My favorite place was the Plaza de Armas, which is the oldest public place in Lima. The place is so pretty and so colorful; it reminded me of the city of Toulouse, South of France. They have beautiful landscapes there and the people are so friendly.

"Also, the Peruvian cuisine is delicious! I tried ceviche the national dish of raw fish in spicy lime juice, chicharrones (pork meat), causa (potatoes entree with veggies, chicken and mayo) and of course their national beverage, Inca Cola. The food is cheap, especially at lunchtime where for example you can get a two or three-course meal with a soda for $3."

Adding to her passport, Bakima recently spent a few weeks in Guinea, West Africa. She plans to travel all over Europe this summer with her sisters and then hopefully suit up again for another professional team.

"I strongly believe going abroad is a worth-while experience," Bakima said. "You gain so much learning about different cultures, others perception of life, and even a deeper understanding of yourself while continuing to play the sport you love. If at the end of the season you don't like it at least you tried and won't look back and say what if. It's a great experience to look back on someday."

For more information on Ole Miss Volleyball, follow the Rebels on Twitter, @OleMissVB, on Facebook at OleMissVolleyball and on Instagram at OleMissVB. Also follow Coach McRoberts on Twitter, @CoachMcRoberts.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

Related News

Related Videos