From a small spot in the Caribbean, several ambassadors represent the island of Puerto Rico in the international volleyball. These athletes, thanks to their sports abilities have been able to call the attention of different clubs at the global level and in special high-ranking clubs.
Among these, highlights Aurea “Aury” Cruz (Outside Hitter) who since 2007 participates in leagues of highest level. Aury (33) was born 10 January 1982 in the town of Bayamón- she is 1.80 m tall and has a range of 310 cm in attack and 290 cm in block. At young age she was climbing achievements until in 1998 being 16 years old, she participated at the female League of volleyball and hence quickly was selected to the National Team.
Her volleyball career goes as it follows: 1998-99, 2004, 05 & 09) (Llaneras de Toa Baja Voleiclub), 1999-2003 (University of Florida), 2005-06 (Airone Tortolì, Italy), 2006-07 (Altamura, Italy), 2007-08 (Ícaro Palma, Spain), 2008-09 (Hyundai Greenfox, South Korea), 2009-12 (Villa Cortese, Italy) and from 2012-15 (Rabita Baku, Azerbaijan).
Aury has obtained significant achievements in each of these experiences standing out as Best Server (2 times), Best Receiver (6), Best Spiker (1), Best Digger (1), Best Scorer (6) and 2 times MVP. Also by this time she got in her resume 5 championships and six runner ups.
In Male competitions, Maurice Armando Torres (24), who was born in 1991 in Ponce Town, started playing this year in A-1 Italy pro League with Exprivia Neldiritto Molfetta. By now he is the rising star of Puerto Rico’s volleyball. Maurice (201m), in his short professional career has some success helping Arecibo Captains to win the Puerto Rico national championship. He had gained some experience playing for Montpellier (France) and Andreoli Latina (Italy) in 2013-14 season. Also he plays for the Island National Team.
By now, Maurice scored 81 points in four games for Molfetta(31 on his debut and helped his team to a 3-1 winning rally playing as an opposite hitter). We hope he can replace the Puero Ricean presense in the international are in the face of Hector “Picki” Soto (2001 to 2011) – who had played for Nolico Maaseik, Alimenti Sardi Cagliari, Terra Sarga Cagliari, Tiscali Cargari, Panasonic Phanters, Lokomotiv Novosibrisk, Ara Spor Izmir and Hyundai Capital Skywalkers) and who is now retired from international competitions
Other active players from Puerto Rico who shine around the volleyball world are Karina Ocasio (Fujian – China), Lynda Morales (Besiktas – Turkey), Raimareyli Santos (UCAM Murcia – Spain), Janelis Torres (Haro Rioja – Spain), Michelle Nogueras (Volley Koniz – Switzerland), Fernando Morales (Karava – Chipre), Sequiel Sánchez (Ashly – Egipt), Dennis Del Valle (Pallavolo Lugano – Switzerland), Gregory Berrios (Nice – France B). Edgardo Goas (Tokat Belediye Plevne / Turkey), José Rivera y Angel Pérez (Rennes – France B) and Pablo Guzman (LUC – Switzerland).
We should pay more attention to this players – who knows, maybe among them we can find one of the future stars of world volleyball…
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