A new look T&T senior women’s volleyball team left Piarco yesterday under the supervision of new coach Nicholson Drakes for San Juan in Puerto Rico where they will compete in a Pan American Games Women’s Qualifying Tournament at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum.
The round-robin tournament serves off tomorrow until Sunday and will feature host country and pre-tournament favourites, Puerto Rico, ranked 13th in the world, T&T, Nicaragua and Guatemala or Costa Rica at the end of which only the winner will qualify ofr the 2019 Pan American Games carded for July 26 to August 11 in Lima, Peru.
Long-time coach, Cuban-born Francisco “Panchee” Cruz stepped down as the team coach following the team's retention of the Senior Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association title in Suriname for a record seven straight time and eighth overall, last July/August as well as its debut at the FIVB Women’s World Volleyball Championship in Japan.
Cruz has since been appointed an FIVB Development Coach for the Caribbean and his position with the T&T team has been taken up by his former understudy, Drakes, who has enjoyed brief stints at the helm of the team in the past.
The team in Puerto Rico is without some familiar faces though with Japan-based Sinead Jack, former captain Renele Forde, Darlene Ramdin, Kelly-Ann Billingy and Jalicia Ross-Kydd all missing for various reasons.
However, former captain and Turkey-based Krystle Esdelle is available and will lead the team along with fellow key spiker and European-based Channon Thompson along with Delicia Pierre, Afesha Olton and Latisha Morain, all members of the team which made its historic debut at the FIVB World Championship last year.
Simultaneously in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic will contest the inaugural Women’s Volleyball Caribbean Series, a three-match event between the national teams.
This event will be disputed every year in early January during the break of the foreign leagues where the most important players of both countries play as reinforcements. Hosting will alternate which means that in 2020 a Dominican Republic city will welcome both teams.
Tournament Fixtures
Tomorrow
Puerto Rico vs Nicaragua, 3.30pm
T&T vs Guatemala/Costa Rica, 5.30pm
Caribbean Series Match One
Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic, 8.30pm
On Friday
Puerto Rico vs Guatemala/Costa Rica, 3.30pm
Nicaragua vs T&T, 5.30pm
Caribbean Series Match Two
Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic, 8.30pm
On Sunday
Puerto Rico vs T&T, 3.30pm
Guatemala/Costa Rica vs Nicaragua, 5.30pm
Caribbean Series Match Three
Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic, 8.30 pm