This week’s biggest news in volleyball came from the historic conclusion of the 2021 North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Championship. There the Puerto Rican Men’s National Team took home their first NORCECA title. The team’s first gold medal has also given them an automatic bid into Russia’s 2022 FIVB World Championships.
The event also saw a momentous run from the Mexican national team taking home their third bronze medal, showing the program’s growth. The Canadian men took home second, losing to Puerto Rico, and the USA took 5th.
BYU Alumni Opposite hitter Gabriel García was the kill leader for the championship match with 11 points, 10 kills, and one ace. While Cal Baptist alumni, Arturo Iglesias, was selected as MVP for his performance as the team’s leading setter. The competing teams also had a great supporting cast of players from the NVA, with LA Blaze, Vegas Ramblers, OC Stunners, IE Matadors, and Southern Exposure being represented.
“This win feels great since Puerto Rico has never won a NORCECA championship ever on the men’s side. Achieving gold with a very young group is a great satisfaction for everyone involved as well for me personally.” – Kevin Lopez.
Lopez represented the Vegas Ramblers as he and Jair Santiago (Stunners), Pedro Nieves (Blaze), Jonathan Rodriguez (Blaze), and Ismael Alomar (Matadors) led Puerto Rico to win the championship. This has been Kevin’s 5th appearance with the Puerto Rican national team on the world stage. The gold medal has become his second in international competition, adding to his 2017 Pan American Cup silver medal.
From the moment the 2021 NVA ended, Kevin was back in Puerto Rico, taking no time off to pursue his objective of qualifying Puerto Rico for the 2022 World Championships.
“This experience has been fantastic. We maintained an impressive level of work in training as well as staying together outside the gym. When the tournament was coming, all of us understood the commitment we needed for this tournament. None of us were playing for ourselves but as a group. I think that was the reason why we made history.” – Kevin Lopez.
The Ramblers will be eager to have Kevin Lopez back next season as this added championship experience will be vital in helping to secure Vegas’ first NVA Title in 2022. If you haven’t done so yet, go give Kevin Lopez (@kevoo_lopez), and the Ramblers (@ramblersnvausa) a follow on Instagram to stay up to date with Kevin’s during the next. Also, be sure to follow the link below to watch the gold medal match of the 2021 NORCECA Championship Event!
NORCECA Main Website
Championship Final: Puerto Rico vs Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ9X9g1UYJI
“Volley On With the NVA!”
– NVA Staff Writer
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