Puerto Rico already trained at the CAR

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 2, 2010 - The national team of Puerto Rico already trained at the High Development Center as one of the ten teams to compete in the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship through July 5-10.

After their first night on Mexican soil at the CAR’s athletic village, the Puerto Rican woke up in great spirits to train under the supervision of head coach Alejandro Arconada. Then they had the chance to have a Mexican style lunch-buffet prepared by the specialized personnel which works with high quality standards.

Their training session started at noon with the obvious attention drew by three very tall players including Alba Hernandez who surpasses the 2 meters with only 15-years-old.

Another is Neira Ortiz, the daughter of a very famous NBA player, the most important that the Island of Charms ever had, Jose “Piculin” Ortiz and that’s the reason of her 1.97 meters, only that the girl preferred volleyball over basketball, a sport where she is starting to stand out.

Twelve players are part of this Puerto Rican squad who are also members of the high performance program of Puerto Rico which started successfully three years ago with players of 12 years-old.

Shara Venegas is the libero and the rest of the players are Daly Santana, Pilar Victoria, Keila Rodríguez, Génesis Collazo, Diana Reyes, Jennifer Quesada, Ana Sofía Jusino y Ashley Vázquez.

Puerto Rico is approaching this competition very seriously even though they choose Mexico as pre-tournament favorites. “I think they must be the champions due to their preparation matches and the fact of playing at home which is an advantage point.”

“We will be looking for the best possible result,” said both Arconada and his assistant Erick Rodriguez, “we have a long term project but being loyal to the players of good projection.”

Besides Mexico, Dominican Republic is another team that must be battling for the title without taking from the teams of Cuba and United States “who will be a box of surprises.”