Puerto Rico are making their fifth
appearance on the World Grand Prix stage as the team look to improve on their
18th place finish a year ago. In their three outings before that they came 10th
in 2009, 11th in 2010, and 13th in 2012. Vital experience and knowhow is being gathered
by competing regularly against elite sides in the World Grand Prix and at the
World Championships, where the Puerto Ricans have placed equal 10th, equal 15th
and equal 17th in their previous three appearances.
They have enjoyed better results in continental
competitions. They finished in third place at the 2009 Pan American Cup and
came fifth last year. They also finished fifth at the 2011 Pan American Games
in Mexico. They took the silver medal at the 2009 NORCECA Championship, came
fourth in 2011 and claimed bronze last time round. Veteran Aurea Cruz is a key
player for the team. She played at the University of Florida where she
established many school records and was inducted into the school’s Hall of
Fame. She won a silver medal at the 2012 Club World Championships playing for
Azerbaijani club team Rabita Baku. |