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Gaila Gonzalez working on her potential

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 6, 2020 – Step by step Gaila Gonzalez is making her way into the starting lineup of the Dominican Republic Women’s National Team now that she has become an important piece of the squad.

 

The left-handed opposite understands how big the challenge is, but she feels ready for it once the team gets the green light to go back to practice following strict health protocol rules due to the pandemic COVID-19.

 

“I just turned 23 and there are a lot of things to learn from my teammates,” said the opposite attacker for the Dominican team that won the U20 World Championship in 2015.

 

Hard-work has been the philosophy for the 1.88 meters tall Gonzalez who is a product of the National Program of the Dominican Volleyball Federation. She has played for Aydin and Kale in Turkey the last two years.

 

“Working hard I have reached to the point where I am now, trying to take advantage of each opportunity,” she says. “Each chance I get I try to do my best, always looking for the best for the team.”

 

Marcos Kwiek, the Brazilian who has coached the Dominican senior team since 2009, speaks high and loud about the talent of Gonzalez and also about the facets of her game she needs to work on.

 

“Last year I started to use her more and more,” Kwiek says. “She is a good offensive player with good blocking abilities who needs to improve her serve, defense, attacks from the back row and to be more aggressive. But she has the tools to be a complete package.”

 

“She needs to keep working hard to reach the top level because she doesn’t have the idea of her potential. She can improve a lot. She has a high ceiling.”