A recent news story has once again shaken the world of sports. Ana “Anita” Peralta Rondanina, 15, regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Necochea’s women’s volleyball, remains hospitalized in critical condition after being involved in a serious road accident. While she continues fighting for her life, family, friends, teammates and neighbors are holding vigils and prayer chains to accompany her.
How the Accident Happened
The crash occurred around 8:30 pm on Provincial Route 88, at kilometer 55, near the hamlet of San José—a stretch lamentably known in recent years for the number of fatal accidents.
Anita was traveling back to Necochea in a taxi with three other people when the vehicle collided head-on with a refrigerated Iveco truck with a semi-trailer carrying fish.
The car was driven by Santiago Juan Manuel Irigoyen, 58 who died at the scene as a consequence of the strong impact.
In addition to Anita, they were traveling Katy, another 15-year-old volleyball player, who was discharged from medical care, and Ana Beatriz Delménico, 68, who was also assisted after the accident.
Anita Peralta’s Critical Condition
The young woman remains hospitalized at the Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos (HIGA) in Mar del Plata, where she underwent surgery for a severe traumatic brain injury. According to information from the hospital, she remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
She also suffered a pneumothorax, a condition that causes air to accumulate between the lung and the chest wall, leading to partial or total collapse of the affected lung.
According to information released by Canal 8 of Mar del Plata, on Tuesday the doctors had to resuscitate her after she suffered two cardiorespiratory arrests.
View this post on Instagram
The Heartfelt Plea from Her Family
Since the accident, relatives, friends and even people who do not know Anita personally have begun a chain of prayer for her recovery. “We need a miracle,” her mother stated in an interview with Canal 8 Mar del Plata.
“She is a compassionate, kind, hard-working, resilient girl. That’s how she is with volleyball, that’s how she is with everything, always pushing herself to improve. We only hope that God performs a miracle. I know she is strong and continues fighting, but we need a miracle,” she said through tears.
Her sister also shared her grief. “Honestly, she doesn’t deserve this. It hurts to see her. I went to visit her today and to see her there, lying in bed… that girl isn’t my sister. It makes me very sad. I want to go back home with her,” she expressed, moved.
During Tuesday night, family, friends and teammates held another vigil in front of the hospital to accompany her and renew prayers for her health.
The Message from the Volleyball Community
The Mar del Plata Volleyball Association also publicly expressed its concern via a statement released on social media.
View this post on Instagram
“The family of the Mar del Plata Volleyball Association is shocked and staying vigilant over Anita Peralta’s health following the accident on Route 88, when she was returning to her hometown with another player from Club Atlético Once Unidos. We join in the prayers for her recovery and ask every member of the AMV family and the broader community to join us,” they stated.
As she remains hospitalized, the entire sports community remains united in the hope that Anita will recover.
