Puerto Rico looking for World Championship success

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, June 1, 2014 – The stage was set at the Auditorio Juan “Pachín” Vicens in Ponce for the fans to celebrate with both of Puerto Rico’s national volleyball teams. In the end, however, it was only the women’s team who were able to celebrate, qualifying in commanding fashion in May for the FIVB Women’s World Championship from September 23 to October 12 in Italy. 

The 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-11) victory over Costa Rica in the final was an emphatic demonstration of their strength, while the men’s national team suffered a shock 3-0 defeat against Mexico in their final. 

“It was not our best game and Mexico played very well, making all the necessary adjustments after the first match between us,” said shocked Puerto Rican coach David Aleman, who quickly turned his attention to the challenge ahead: “We will just have to secure our ticket at the second attempt.” 

His team’s last chance to secure a ticket for the FIVB Men’s World Championship will come in a play-off tournament, provisionally scheduled for July 14 to 20, when they will face the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Costa Rica. 

In 2006 and 2010, the emerging volleyball force of Puerto Rico was represented by both national teams at the showdown of the best volleyball teams in the world, which is held every four years.

Last year, the ladies finished third in the NORCECA Championship, behind Olympic silver medallists USA and the Dominican Republic. That was a clear indication of the upward trend. The scouts at top clubs around the world have had their eye on the powerful players from Puerto Rico for a while now. For example, the experienced Aury Cruz plays her volleyball at Rabita Baku, the former Club World Champions and this year’s bronze medallists in the European Champions League.

“I’m really happy after this qualification,” said Cruz. “I feel good mentally as well as physically.” The 32-year-old has been playing for the Puerto Rican national team since 1996. The team has now qualified for the FIVB Women’s World Championship four times in a row. In 2002, they finished in ninth place, and Cruz is optimistic ahead of the season’s highlight in Italy. 

“We have always made it to the second round,” she pointed out. “Whatever happened in 2010 was a lack of precision, lack of training. We have to establish a system of play in the next months that can be the key to competing at a high level at the World Championship.”

However, getting through the first round won’t be easy. With their opponents expected to be Japan, China, Cuba, Belgium and Azerbaijan, Puerto Rico find themselves in probably the most evenly balanced group of all. Jose Mieles, coach of Puerto Rico, remains optimistic.

“I’m very happy because we achieved our goal,” he said. “The team has worked well in the short period of training we have had and now we have to begin our preparations for the road to Italy.”

Cruz was a key player in the final of the World Championship qualification tournament, chipping in with 10 points. Puerto Rican captain Yarimar Rosa also stood out with her 16 points, including four aces, while setter Natalia Valentin was instrumental with six blocks and eight points.

Vanessa Velez of Puerto Rico was named Most Valuable Player at the NORCECA Women’s World Championship Qualification Tournament. Velez enjoyed an excellent overall performance during the four-day competition, winning the awards for Best Scorer, Best Server and Best Opposite.

A key instrument in preparations for the FIVB Women’s World Championship will be the FIVB World Grand Prix in July and August. In the Preliminary Round, Puerto Rico will face Poland, Peru, the Netherlands, Argentina, Canada and their opponents in the first round of the World Championship, Cuba and Belgium.