World Grand Prix in Puerto Rico ready to go
 

CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, July 24, 2014 – The national women’s volleyball team of Puerto Rico goes back into action at the World Grand Prix from July 25-27 with the first weekend of the 2014 edition at the revamped Guillermo Angulo Coliseum.
 

Nelson Perez Cruz, president of the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation explained the details accompanied by the Mayor of Carolina Jose C. Aponte Dalmau in a press conference held at Gran Opera Ballroom of Hotel Verdanza of Isla Verde.
 

“Once again the city of Carolina and its Mayor receive us. It is the second time we organize the Grand Prix in the island and we are very glad to bring it to Carolina,” Perez Cruz said.
 

For the 2014 edition, the International Volleyball Federation made some changes in the competition format besides the increase to 28 the number of participating teams. The teams were divided into three groups.
 

“The city of Carolina once again receive them with open arms our friends from Latin America and Europe visiting us on the occasion of the Grand Prix. We welcome all them to the Land of Giants,” Mayor Aponte said.
 

Puerto Rico will participate in group 2 and will play during three weekends and the top three qualified in the global ranking will advance to the Final Four to be played in Poland.
 

After playing in Carolina, the women’s team will go to Peru for the second week against the home team, Cuba and Poland. Then from Ausgit 8-10 will meet Netherlands, Poland and Belgium at the Netherlands.
 

It will be the fifth participation of Puerto Rico in the World Grand Prix, with the previous occasions in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
 

“Carolina has converted into our mecca of international volleyball after the success of the events held the past few months at Guillermo Angulo Coliseum, especially the Final Playoff when Puerto Rico qualified to the Men’s World Championship in Poland defeating Dominican Republic in three sets before a full house,” Aponte said.
 

Meanwhile the national coach Jose Mieles said the team has trained hard for the event.
 

“It is our third event of the year and we have trained hard and consistently since July 1 and the girls will do the job,” Mieles said.

During the press conference the 12 players in the roster for the World Grand Prix were announced.
 

The teams consists of setters Vilmarie Mojica and Natalia Valentin, the outside hitters Yarimar Rosa, Aury Cruz and Stephanie Enright, the middle blockers Sheila Ocasio, Alexandra Oquendo, Lynda Morales, and Janeliss Torres, the opposite Karina Ocasio and the líberos Shara Venegas and Debora Seilhamer.
 

Mieles will be assisted by Anthony Meléndez, Eduardo ‘Cocolo’ Galarza, Gamaliel Santiago and Víctor ‘Yun’ Correa will be the trainer. Dr. César Trabanco is the medical doctor and José ‘Cari’ Caraballo in charge of properties.