Tokyo, October 30, 2007: Dominican Republic head coach Beato Cruz has named his 12-strong team for the women’s World Cup, which starts on Friday.
While his squad contains lots of experience in the likes of Nuris Arias (34), Milagros Cabral (29) and captain Cosiri Rodriguez (30), there is plenty of youth, too, notably in 15-year-old Brenda Castillo, a reception specialist who joined the national team this year and featured in the World Grand Prix.
The Dominicans, who belong to the Norceca zone covering North and Central America and the Caribbean, received a wild card into the World Cup and face a wild start on Friday evening - against host nation Japan at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Cruz, whose team is appearing in their second straight World Cup, knows what is in store, with 11 games in four cities over 15 days.
“All games are tough, and in this league there is no respite,” he was quoted as saying on the official website of the Dominican Republic Volleyball Federation.
“But I think we can do a good job with a combination of new and veteran players.”
The Dominican players received a high-level send-off from the President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez, via the Secretary for Sport, Felipe Payano.
“We hope and expect that, once again, you will have a dignified performance in defence of the national colours,” Payano said in Santo Domingo.
The Dominicans finished 10th on their World Cup debut in 2003 but head coach Cruz is aiming for a top-six finish this time.
His 12 are: Lisvel Eve, Sidarka Nunez, Brenda Castillo, Carmen Caso (libero), Gina del Rosario, Ginnette del Rosario, Nuris Arias, Milagros Cabral, Karla Echenique, Cosiri Rodriguez (captain), Cindy Rondon and Bethania de la Cruz.

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