Dominicans training in Tunisia ahead of World Champs
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, September 8, 2018 – The
Dominican Republic men’s national team is currently in Tunisia
training and playing friendly matches against the host side
ahead of the FIVB World Championship in Bulgaria and Italy.
The Dominican team is making a comeback to the world event after
a 44 years hiatus following its first participation in Mexico in
1974 where they finished in the 22nd place.
With a mix of veterans who are on a farewell tour and the new
breed product of an incipient program, the Dominicans will play
in Pool A in Florence, Italy. They will play Slovenia, Japan,
Argentina, Italy and Belgium.
The members of the team are: Francisco Abreu and Adalberto
González, setters; Bayron Valdez, Elvis Contreras, Engel Mieses,
Henry López, Jairo Pérez and Héctor Cruz, wing-spikers; Henry
Tapia and José Cáceres, opposite hitters; Jonathan Mercedes,
Félix Romero and Richi Paulino, middle blockers; Braymar
Tolentino, libero.
The Dominicans major achievement is the gold medal they won at
the Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico in
2014. They recently finished second at the U21 NORCECA Junior
Championship trailing host Cuba.
The team is coached by Venezuelan Alexander Gutierrez who
replaced Cuban Orlando Samuels who left the team for personal
reasons. Gutierrez will be assisted by Amaury Martínez and
therapist Marvin Zamora. Team doctor is Julio Miñoso and Team
Manager is José Aybar. |