Gaila Gonzalez working on her potential
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 6, 2020 – Step by step
Gaila Gonzalez is making her way into the starting lineup of the
Dominican Republic Women’s National Team now that she has become
an important piece of the squad.
The left-handed opposite understands how big the challenge is,
but she feels ready for it once the team gets the green light to
go back to practice following strict health protocol rules due
to the pandemic COVID-19.
“I just turned 23 and there are a lot of things to learn from my
teammates,” said the opposite attacker for the Dominican team
that won the U20 World Championship in 2015.
Hard-work has been the philosophy for the 1.88 meters tall
Gonzalez who is a product of the National Program of the
Dominican Volleyball Federation. She has played for Aydin and
Kale in Turkey the last two years.
“Working hard I have reached to the point where I am now, trying
to take advantage of each opportunity,” she says. “Each chance I
get I try to do my best, always looking for the best for the
team.”
Marcos Kwiek, the Brazilian who has coached the Dominican senior
team since 2009, speaks high and loud about the talent of
Gonzalez and also about the facets of her game she needs to work
on.
“Last year I started to use her more and more,” Kwiek says. “She
is a good offensive player with good blocking abilities who
needs to improve her serve, defense, attacks from the back row
and to be more aggressive. But she has the tools to be a
complete package.”
“She needs to keep working hard to reach the top level because
she doesn’t have the idea of her potential. She can improve a
lot. She has a high ceiling.” |