Colombia Women’s Volleyball Team secures spot in 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix

Maria Alejandra Marin

Women’s volleyball squads from Colombia and Peru came into contest on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Colombian girls hammered Peru 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-20). The victory enabled Colombia to secure a spot in next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix.

It will be the first time ever that Colombia will join the Grand Prix. Moreover, the team will also play for the seventh position at the XIII Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at Carlos Martinez Balmori Multisport Hall of Autonomous State University of Hidalgo.

In the past, Colombia participated in the cup twice. The team had finished eleventh in 2012 and 9th in 2013. On the other hand, Peruvian team took part in eight tournaments with a silver medal in 2010 but an eighth place in 2013.

Brazilian Mauro Marasciulo, coach of Colombia, expressed great joy after the first ever victory of Colombia over Peru in an international senior tournament.

 “The Federation is making a sacrifice and a great work to develop the girls who last year qualified to the U-20 world championship and now to the Grand Prix. The future is in their hands.”

An elated Maria Alejandra Marin, captain of Colombia, said: “We are happy because to win the right to go to the Grand Prix is something unprecedented for us. We know Peru is a tough rival and we were studying them and got the win.”’

Natalia Malaga, coach of Peru: “The satisfaction is for the team with the best result and Peru didn’t play in spite of being the team with the higher level. But unfortunately, putting aside the technical part, my players didn’t show the personal part and their attitude was bad, something that disappointed me.”