Brenda Castillo The Dominican Republic Volleyball Paris 2024

Going to her third Olympics, libero Brenda Castillo is among the most experienced players in the Dominican squad

Set to make their fourth Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Games, the Dominican Republic women’s national team confirmed the 13 players that will represent the country at the event, in just a few weeks.

After competing in Athens 2004, London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, Las Reinas del Caribe (The Queens of the Caribbean, in Spanish) will feature a squad with plenty of experience, as nine of the players picked by longtime head coach Marcos Kwiek have been at the Games before.

Setter and team captain Niverka Marte, outside hitter Bethania De La Cruz, middle blocker Lisvel Eve and libero Brenda Castillo are each going to their third Olympic appearances, having competed at both London and Tokyo.

Middle blocker Candida Arias, who was selected for the 2012 Games, and opposite Gaila Gonzalez, outside hitters Brayelin Martinez and Yonkaira Peña and middle blocker Jineiry Martinez, who played in the Japanese capital, have also been at the Games before.

The new faces in the Dominican squad for Paris 2024 are 18-year-old setter Ariana Rodriguez, 20-year-old opposite Alondra Tapia, 23-year-old outside hitter Madeline Guillén and 22-year-old middle blocker Geraldine González, who was selected as the team’s alternate.

Besides the Dominican Republic, Brazil, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States have also announced their rosters for Paris 2024 already.

Dominicans to play in the opening match

The Caribbean will be one of the two teams to play in the opening match of the women’s tournament of the Paris Games, as they will face FIVB World Ranking leaders Italy on July 28, at 9:00 local time (7:00 GMT) at the South Paris Arena. Their other two Pool B rivals are Türkiye and the Netherlands.

Paris 2024 – Match Schedule

The Dominican Republic women’s volleyball Olympic roster (subject to eligibility check to be conducted by the FIVB)

Setters: Ariana Rodriguez, Niverka Marte
Opposites: Alondra Tapia, Gaila Gonzalez
Outside hitters: Bethania De La Cruz, Brayelin Martinez, Madeline Guillén, Yonkaira Peña
Middle blockers: Candida Arias, Jineiry Martinez, Lisvel Eve
Libero: Brenda Castillo
Alternate: Geraldine González (middle blocker)