HAVANA, Cuba. January 03, 2005- Zoila Barros, the leading star in the National Team of Cuba that won a bronze medal in the Olympic Games, was elected s the Cuban Volleyball Player of the Year in a poll conducted by the National Union of Sports Writers. Barros, who led the Athens Women’s Tournament in serves effectiveness, also was recognized as the 2004 best sportswomen in team sports.

Zoila was also the best server and Most Valuable Player of the Pan American Cup in Mexico. She will receive her trophy during a special gala to take place in the Garcia Lorca Theater of Havana on January 17.

Slender Rosir Calderon won the honors as Rookie of the Year and young Oriol Camejo, the most outstanding player in the NORCECA’s Junior Tournament in Winnipeg, Canada, won also the same recognition. The Cuban writers also nominated female players Yumilka Ruiz, Nancy Carrillo, Daimi Ramirez, Martha Sanchez, Yaima Ortiz and Liana Mesa as well as Yenry Bell of the Men’s National Team and the duo of Beach Volleyball of Tamara Larrea and Dalixia Fernandez who represented Cuba in Athens.