Spanish libero Manuel Sevillano leads his young team-mates in their return at the FIVB Volleyball World League

Carolina, Puerto Rico, June 6, 2014 – The Spaniards were not able to rise to the expectations of an ideal season debut at the FIVB Volleyball World League as Slovakia proved too strong for them in their first Pool G encounter at the Guillermo Angulo Coliseum on Friday.

The meeting marked the return of Spain after a six-year absence, turned out far from idyllic as Fernando Muñoz’s squad fell from the powerful performance hands of the Slovaks.

“We definitively could have done it a little better,” said libero Manuel Sevillano. “The important thing here is that we had our chances.”

The 31-year-old player acts as one of the leaders of the squad, and holds seniority in the lineup full of young players. In theri match against Slovakia, Sevillano showcased his abilities in defence, contributing to a cause for an effective performance but ultimately was not enough to beat an inspired Slovak side.

“We did not play all that good today and considering that this match is our first match in the tournament,” added Sevillano. “We should be contented with our performance, as we could have even won the game.”

After winning each and every title in the Spanish domestic competitions, the 1.93m-tall player tried his luck abroad and is currently lined-up with French club of Saint Nazaire VB Atlantique.

Sevillano’s analysis of their game left a poignant lesson for the team.

“Bearing in mind all the mistakes we made, the silver lining for us is that we stood up to our rivals throughout the match, with the exception of the first set,” Sevillano pointed out. “The lesson is that we must seize all the opportunities for victory that we have.”

Sevillano, together with Guillermo Hernan, are one of the remaining members of the team that reached glory in 2007 CEV European Championship. Sevillano has made the transition from wing spiker to libero to be able to continue playing in the national team, while offering his experience to his younger teammates.

“They were a little bit nervous,” declared Sevillano. “It is a normal reaction. This is why we are here, to gain experience and to keep growing as a team.” 

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