Dominicans to feature new faces in 27-player roster for 2023 season

The Dominican Republic women’s national team will have a mix of well-established veterans and new faces entering the 2023 international season as 27 players were called up by head coach Marcos Kwiek to represent their country in the tournaments of the year, starting with the Volleyball Nations League.

Part of the group has been training in Santo Domingo for several weeks already as part of the Dominican permanent national team program while others, who were in action during the club season around the world, will join the squad over the next weeks.

• Watch the Volleyball Nations League 2023 on VBTV

Kwiek will have the return of 13 of the 14 players that represented the team during last year’s FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship, with setter Camil Dominguez being the only exception.

Key players for the Caribbeans over the last several years, setter Niverka Marte, outside hitters Brayelin Martínez and Bethania De La Cruz and libero Brenda Castillo will also be with the Reinas Del Caribe in 2023. Alongside them will be some players who emerged from the Dominican youth teams, such as setters Ariana Rodriguez and Aylin Liberato and opposite Alondra Tapia.

“We’re bringing some new faces to the team this season and we want to give them some playing time and experience,” Kwiek told Volleyball World. “We think it’s important that we get them on the court this year and we have several tournaments, so there will be plenty of opportunities. Some of the players will join the national team just a week before we fly to Japan for the start of the VNL, so we’re not going to have the time to play exhibition matches, but we'll do our best to be ready.”

Another veteran, 31-year-old middle blocker Lisvel Eve, will reappear in the squad after missing the 2022 season. An extremely versatile player, Eve has played multiple positions with the Caribbeans over the years and has been with the team since 2007, having represented her country at both the London and the Tokyo Olympics.

“Having Eve back is really important for us,” the coach added. “She’s been a key player for us for several years, but was dealing with several injuries lately and we had to do a really good job in terms of managing her playing time in 2021. So we decided to have her take last year off in order for her to fully recover and we’re really excited to have her back.”

The Dominicans are going to have a busy year, which will start in Nagoya, Japan, on May 30, when they start their campaign in the Volleyball Nations League against the hosts. Another big event for them will be the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, from September 16-24, in China.

The team will have some other continental events to compete at, such as the NORCECA Championship, the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games.

“It’s going to be a long and challenging year for us,” Kwiek explained. “Qualifying for Paris 2024 is our main goal and, although we’ll have a shot at accomplishing it at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the VNL is going to be extremely important as we want to continue on a good spot at the FIVB World Rankings so we can have a chance of qualifying through that pathway too if we need.”

Dominican Republic women’s national team full roster:

Setters: Niverka Marte, Yokaty Perez, Ariana Rodriguez, Ailyn Liberato, Crismely Paniagua

Opposites: Gaila Gonzalez, Alondra Tapia

Outside hitters: Brayelin Martínez, Yonkaira Peña, Bethania De La Cruz, Madeline Guillén, Vielka Peralta, Katielle Alonzo, Samaret Caraballo, Massiel Matos, Natalia Martínez, Flormarie Heredia

Middle blockers: Jineiry Martínez, Geraldine Gonzalez, Lisvel Eve, Angelica Hinojosa, Floranger Terrero, Candida Arias, Sellany Puente

Liberos: Brenda Castillo, Larysmer Martínez, Yaneirys Rodríguez

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