Cubans travel to Japan for the World Grand Prix 

HAVANA, Cuba, August 13, 2006.- The Cuban Women’s National Team traveled to Japan on Sunday to start its participation at the FIVB World Grand Prix scheduled to start on August 18 and finishing at Reggio Calabria in south Italy on September 10.

The cornerstones of “Las Morenas del Caribe” are the experienced outside hitter Yumilka Ruiz and middle blocker Zoila Barros, who are getting ready for the World Championship, this year’s most important event in Japan from October 31 to November 16.

Also members of team are middle blocker Nancy Carrillo, attackers Rossir Calderon and Yaima Ortiz and setters Daimi Ramirez and Liana Mesa, members of the Cuban squad who won the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics.

The team is completed by young Rachel Sanchez, Kenia Carcaces, Yenisey Gonzalez, Yanelis Santos an Lisbet Arredondo.

Luis Felipe Calderon will be the coach of the squad which won’t have the advising of the experienced Eugenio George who will stay at home recovering from some health problems that did not keep him out of the training camp at Cerro Pelado Center.

Mireya Luis will be the Team Manager and Eider George and Adalberto Valdes will be the assistant coaches. The medical doctor is Carlos Jimenez with trainer Jorge Luis Ramirez.

Last year, Cuba qualified to the final round of the World Grand Prix and finished in the fourth position behind Brazil, Italy and China and in front of Japan and The Netherlands.