Disappointing elimination for Puerto Rico in 2011 FIVB World League – Volleyball news
With the 2011 FIVB World League nearing its final phase, the debutant Puerto Rico national Men’s Volleyball team was sent home packing after a dismal display at the tournament.
The FIVB World league started off in May with 16 teams from across the globe. The Puerto Rican squad also qualified for the first time this year and made their place in the premier international volleyball event. Puerto Rico was assigned to Pool A along
with some of the world’s best teams. Defending Champion Brazil, Olympic Title holder USA and host of the Final Round of tournament, Poland, accompanied Puerto Rico in the group.
Carlos Cardona, the Head Coach of Puerto Rico, entered the competition with his best 12-player team with plans of making a splash in this year’s FIVB World League. However, the first time qualifier failed to capture the spotlight and finished with a final
score of 0-12. After the Intercontinental Round, Puerto Rico was ranked in last place at the 16th spot.
The Puerto Ricans met the Brazilians in the first week of the tournament. According to the set pattern of the tournament, they were scheduled to play two matches. Brazil demonstrated a flawless performance and thrashed Puerto Rico in straight sets. The next
match had a similar fate for the Puerto Ricans. The powerhouse Brazil totally dominated their opponents and the Puerto Ricans were left l*****g their wounds in the opening week matches and planned a better performance in second week.
Puerto Rico saw the American team on the other side of the court in Week 2. The team had learned a few lessons from their previous losses and walked onto the courts with new determination. However, the U.S. squad proved to be a tough nut to crack in both
matches. Puerto Rico could only capture one set in the first match and the second match also slipped through their hands in similar fashion. Puerto Rico’s performance saw some improvement but it just was not enough to overcome the American’s.
Poland was the weakest competitor to come up against Puerto Rico in their pool during the third week. Since Poland was the host country of the last stage of the tournament, they were already confirmed for the Final Round. This coupled with the fact that
Puerto Rico was playing at home gave the team a fighting chance. However, the Poles showed no signs of taking it easy and won both matches.
Week 4 of the prelims once again brought Brazil and Puerto Rico on to the court. This time around, Puerto Rico was featured in the match as a guest team. The Brazilian squad lived up to their name and dominated the weaker side completely. They ended up winning
both matches and extending their winning record to four in a row against the Puerto Ricans.
The Puerto Ricans tried to snap their losing streak when they took on the Polish squad a second time in week five but ended up suffering two more defeats. The situation did not get any better in the last week of the prelims as the American side showed no
mercy and posted two consecutive wins over Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico finished the tournament with a miserable 0-12 record and was eliminated from the 2011 FIVB World League.
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