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Bautista inducted in the Dominican Hall of Fame

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, November 11, 2018 – Yudelkis Bautista, the Most Valuable Player of the volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games held in Santo Domingo 2003 was inducted to the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday.

 

The Dominican Republic defeated Cuba in five sets for their only gold medal in volleyball in the history of the Pan American Games.

 

Bautista, who excelled both blocking and attacking, was one of 10 athletes and officials admitted in the Hall of Fame. She was accompanied by former teammate Milagros Cabral who was inducted in the Class of 2017.

 

Bautista, who played in the leagues of Italy, Spain and Japan, was a member of the Dominican National Women’s Team for 13 years.

 

After receiving a plaque and a ring as new Hall of Famer, Bautista took a turn to express her gratitude to people connected with her development.

 

She mentioned Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, president of the female program of the Dominican Federation, her coaches Jorge Perez Vento and Ricardo Arias, the president of the Olympic Committee Luis Mejia, former and current minister of sports Felipe Payano and Danilo Diaz, and her teammates in the national squad, especially Cabral, the captain of the team for many years.

 

The ceremony was attended by some great Major League Baseball (MLB) players from the Dominican Republic including Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, former pitcher Juan Guzman and active star players Albert Pujols of Los Angeles Angels and Edwin Encarnación of Cleveland Indians.

 

Among the new inductees was Alfred William Horford, the first Dominican player to play in the NBA and the father of current star Al Horford of Boston Celtics.