Preliminary volleyball roster named ahead of NORCECA Final Four in Ponce.

 Later this month, members of the national preliminary roster will begin preparations for the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Final Four, to be held June 5-7 at Salvador Dijols Arena in Ponce.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FPV) earlier this week announced the national preliminary roster that will begin preparations for the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Final Four, to be held June 5-7 at Salvador Dijols Arena in Ponce.

Official practices are scheduled to begin in mid-May, as part of the training plan designed by the national coaching staff.

The Final Four arrives following Puerto Rico’s capture of its third consecutive tournament championship in 2025 -- finishing undefeated and securing its berth in the 2026 NORCECA Senior Women’s Continental Olympic Championship. This year, the team returns home to defend its title against high-caliber opponents.

2026 Women’s national pre-selection roster

Setters

Natalia Valentín, Wilmarie Rivera, Jennifer Nogueras

Opposites

Grace López, Dariana Hollingsworth, Brittany Abercrombie

Outside hitters

Alondra Vázquez, Valeria Vázquez, Decelice Champion, Valeria Rosado, Elena Maynulet, Paola Santiago, Leandra Mangual, Nataly García, Ivania Ortiz, Paulina Pérez, Nayeli González, Sofía Victoria

Middle blockers

Neira Ortiz, Adriana Rodríguez, Diana Reyes, Alba Hernández, Valeria Núñez, Ana Sofía Jusino, Marcelle Báez

Liberos

Shara Venegas, Okiana Valle, Yaleimid Correa

Coaching staff

Juan Carlos Núñez, head coach; José Mieles, assistant coach; Luca Cristofani, assistant coach; Eduardo Galarza, assistant coach; Sheila Alicea, statistician; Roberto Rivera, strength & conditioning coach; Félix Gordillo, physical therapist

Availability of collegiate players for Final Four

The FPV noted that some collegiate players were not called up for this stage because they did not receive the necessary permissions from their respective universities -- a process that the FPV fully respects, given that the permissions involve formal academic commitments. In the case of outside hitter Karla Santos, the athlete received official authorization from the FPV to prioritize her studies.