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CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, June 30, 2015 – The municipality of
Carolina, to the east of capital San Juan, will host the
prestigious FIVB World Grand Prix for a second consecutive year
as Puerto Rican women’s volleyball team play the sides from
Poland, Canada and Bulgaria in Group 2 from July 3 to 5.
“Our team is ready for the big event and our goal is to reach
the finals as we did last year,” said Nelson Perez, president of
the Puerto Rican National Federation. “We have already secured
our participation in next year’s event and the team is ready to
give a great show to their fans.”
The competition will take place at the revamped Guillermo Angulo
Coliseum and the local government under the leadership of Mayor
Jose Carlos Aponte is offering plenty support, financial and
logistical, to guarantee the success of the organization.
“The municipality of Carolina is proud to once again host the
event with our national team motivated by the support of a
population that loves the sport of volleyball,” Aponte said.
The visiting teams are also popular in the island as Poland
toured Puerto Rico for five friendly matches in 2004 and players
from Bulgaria and Canada are also well known among fans.
Bulgaria, winners of Group 3 last year, will come to the island
for a second time as they participated also in the 2013 edition
that took place in Mayaguez. The team is led by its star player
Elitsa Vasileva.
Canada is a well known team in the island having participated in
a lot of NORCECA events and the side includes opposite player
Tabhita Love who had the experience of playing for Caguas
Creoles.
National head coach Jose Mieles announced the local squad for
the stage of Carolina composed by 14 players allowed by FIVB
rules for the event.
“We are confident of a good start as we had last year and
hopefully to reach the final phase,” Mieles said.
The Puerto Rican roster is the following:
Setters: Vilmarie Mojica, Natalia Valentin. Outside Hitters:
Aury Cruz, Stephanie Enright, Yarimar Rosa. Opposites: Karina
Ocasio, Shirley Ferrer. Middle Blockers: Sheila Ocasio,
Alexandra Oquendo, Lynda Morales. Liberos: Debora Seilhamer,
Nayka Benitez. Mieles will be assisted by the coaches Ramon
Lawrence and Roberto Pulliza, therapists Victor Correa and Juan
Rivera, and statistician Angel Velez. |
