Former Dominican star Nelly Pineda passes away

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 9, 2016 – Nelly Pineda, who captained the Dominican Republic Women’s Volleyball team to a gold medal at the IX Central American and Caribbean Games in 1962 at Kingston, Jamaica, passed away on Sunday.

She was in hospital being treated for diabetes and her health was deteriorated by that condition.

Pineda, 83, was elected to the Dominican Republic Sport Hall of Fame in 1978 in recognition to her successful volleyball career that saw her taking part in three editions of the Central American and Caribbean Games. She also was member of the team that won the bronze medal in San Juan, Puerto Rico 1966 and participated in Panama 1970.

Pineda took part also in the Central American and Caribbean Games held in 1954 in Ciudad Mexico when volleyball was part of the program as exhibition sport.

She played the game for 27 years and was elected Volleyball Player of the Year by the Dominican Republic Sport Writers Association in 1949, 1953, 1961, 1964 and 1966. In a poll conducted by the association in 1955, Pineda was named as member of the Dominican All-Time Team.

She is survived by her husband Freddy Gomez, who served as coach of the Dominican team over all those years and is also a member of the Dominican Sport Hall of Fame.