Vanessa "Vanie" Gandler (born December 5, 2000) is a Filipino professional volleyball player who is an outside hitter for the Capital1 Solar Spikers of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
Early life and education Gandler originates from Muntinlupa. She attended high school at De La Salle Santiago Zobel School and played in its varsity volleyball team. She graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2023 with a degree in business management.
Career College Gandler played for the Blue Eagles of the Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). She had a rough debut in Season 81, scoring just a point in her debut game against De La Salle on February 17, 2019. While Ateneo won that season, Gandler recalls how she received backlash on social media for her performance.
The abrupt cancellation of Season 82 due to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed Gandler to reflect on her volleyball career and decided to improve her mental fitness. When the women's senior volleyball tournament returned in Season 84, Gandler improved in her offense leading Ateneo to a third place finish.
She ended her stint with Ateneo in Season 85.
Club After the conclusion of UAAP Season 85 in 2023, Gandler made herself available to get signed by a club in the Premier Volleyball League. She was signed by the Cignal HD Spikers. In 2026, on her third year with Cignal, Gandler was named Most Valuable Player for the 2026 All-Filipino Conference
On May 14, 2026, Gandler signed with the Capital1 Solar Spikers, two weeks after Cignal took a leave of absence.
Clubs Ateneo-Motolite (2018) Cignal HD Spikers (2023–2026) Capital1 Solar Spikers (2026–present)
Awards Individual YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceAwardRef2022V-League Collegiate 2nd Best Outside Hitter2026PVLAll-Filipino Most Valuable Player
Collegiate Ateneo Blue Eagles YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceTitleRef2019UAAP81 ChampionsPVLCollegiate 3rd Place2022UAAP84 3rd PlaceV-League Collegiate Champions
Clubs YearLeagueSeason/ConferenceClubTitleRef2018PVLOpenAteneo-Motolite Runner-up2023InvitationalCignal HD Spikers 3rd place2nd All-Filipino 3rd place2024PNVF Champions League Runner-up PVL Reinforced 3rd place Invitational Runner-up 2026PVLAll-Filipino Cignal HD Spikers Runner-up
References