There is never an off season in Dominican volleyball

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, January 3, 2014 – There’s never an off season in volleyball, whether is the NORCECA Tournaments, the Pan American Union, qualifiers or invitational events and also the leagues around the world.

In many countries volleyball does not have a resting period because when the national teams are not competing in the official events of FIVB or their Confederations, they are making the preparations for their respective leagues.

The Brazilian, Peruvian, Argentinean and Puerto Rican are just a few of the volleyball leagues in this part of the world with a good level of competition with the Brazilian reigning as the top in the Americas for the good quality of its teams and the support offered by the fans.

In the Dominican Republic, despite not celebrating, unfortunately, a tournament of good category, they have the luxury of saying their athletes are big protagonists in very demanding leagues like the Italian and the Russian, even though it is a shame the country can’t present a good local volleyball spectacle for their fans –always looking from the positive side.

But going back to the case, Dominican Republic does not have one or two members of the senior women’s team as reinforcements but 11! Yes, eleven of the girls are currently around the world playing as reinforcements in different volleyball leagues…

Annerys Vargas, the stellar middle blocker, is currently playing for Azerrail Baku of Azerbaijan. The team is also competing in the European Denizbank Champions League where Annerys finished as the third best blocker of the event. In spite Azerrail didn’t make the final round, Annerys is place as the eleventh best blocker of the Champions League with an average of 1.06 per match. In the Azerbaijan League Azerrail is in fourth place with a 1-5 record.

Brenda Castillo, the best libero in the world, this is her second opportunity reinforcing Rabita Baku, the champion team of the 2012-2013 in the Azerbaijan League and vice champion of the European Champions League. Rabita is currently in first place of the Azerbaijan League and host of the Final Four of the European Champions League.

Winnifer Fernandez is also playing in Azerbaijan with Telekom Baku. Winnifer made her debut as reinforcement player last January 25 against Rabita Baku.

Marianne Fersola and Prisilla Rivera are also playing in the Azerbaijan League, one that we call now the half-Dominican League. Fersola is with Igtisadchi Baku and Prisilla with Lokomotiv Baku.

Yonkaira Peña is currently playing in Japan reinforcing the Toray Arrows of the V-Premier League. Yonkaira has earned the respect in the Japanese League as she is in 3rd place among the top scorers of the tournament with 207 points, third among the best spikers and second among the best servers. Toray is sitting on first place of the V-Premier Women’s League with a win-loss record of 9-3.

Jeoselyna Rodríguez is playing in the Peruvian National Volleyball League with Cesar Vallejo University team, which is undefeated with a 5-0 mark while Jeoselyna is among the best scorers of the tournament.

Bethania De la Cruz, the captain of the Dominican squad is in her second season reinforcing the GS Caltex Seoul KIXX of South Korea. She has been named Most Valuable Player in seven different matches and her team is currently in second place of the V League.

Karla Echenique is playing in the Puerto Rican League with Valencianas de Juncos as native player and is currently the sixth best setter. Karla, who was the first pick in the draft of free agents, is playing as native in Puerto Rico since she has double nationality but always represent the Dominican flag.

Erasma Moreno (outside hitter) and Candida Arias (middle blocker), both member of the U-23 national team are playing in the second Russian Volleyball League with Vladivostock, which is currently placed ninth in the league standings.

But things do not stop there, since in the men’s side players Elvis “Peco” Contreras and German Recio are playing in the very demanding Brazilian Men’s Super League, one the top and competitive men’s league.

We now are able to say that our country is not only represented by baseball and basketball players but also for a good harvest of volleyball players who have excelled at the international scene and the men’s area only need a bit of fertilizer to reach that level.