Coaches
While the favorites to win gold in the biennial event include defending champion United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, the depth of the tournament field will create battles for all three podium spots.
“We have tried to communicate to the team that we need to improve and progress daily in this tournament to ultimately have a chance to play for the gold medal”, United States head coach Pete Hanson said. “To reach that goal, that requires daily improvement.”
Hanson said that the top four seeds in the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico are considered among his favorites to win a medal.
“Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico are all very strong”, Hanson said. “We have seen Canada play in scrimmages here. Plus, we have seen some of the Puerto Rico players compete in our college system. Mexico is a little unknown to us, but they come in as the number-four seed and will compete for a medal.”
The USA team, which has seven players who competed in the 2011 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ Youth World Championship, has benefited from a three-week training block at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, along with friendly scrimmages with the Canadian squad during that period.
“It has been wonderful here and to not have to travel for this event”, Hanson said. “The familiarity with the facility and altitude difference hopefully will be beneficial for us.”
Puerto Rico comes into the tournament having gone through a solid training block of its own and are prepared to push for the podium and place into next year’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s Junior World Championship.
“We have been working together the last couple months”, Puerto Rico head coach Ramon Hernandez said. “I believe our team is in good shape, but we need to improve in a couple areas. By the end of the tournament, we hope to be battling for one of the medals and a spot into the 2013 World Championship. A few of our players have played together in past tournaments, so they know each other. I think that is important in this tournament. We have six players who played in the FIVB Youth World Championship last year, and that will help us when facing the tougher opponents.”
Canada, which has won the silver medal in the two most recent NORCECA Men’s Junior Continental Championships in 2008 and 2010, brings both optimism and caution into the tournament as it attempts to qualify for the 2013 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship.
“For a lot of our players, this is their first international experience”, Canada head coach David Preston said. “While our level of play can be very high, not having played at the international level may create a period of some adjustments. The history of Puerto Rico, USA and Mexico at this level is great, and are equally strong. NORCECA is always strong as a group and we expect that to continue here at this tournament.”
Guatemala has several players who have experience playing in other countries and in previous NORCECA events, but its head coach understands it will take a lot to reach the medal podium.
“My team has a lot of heart and courage, but our feet are planted on the earth as we know other teams such as USA, Puerto Rico and Canada are very good”, Guatemala head coach Jorge Enrique Chavez said. “We expect to reach sixth or seventh place in this tournament. We are in good physical condition.”
Honduras views the tournament as part of its current and long-term plan into the future.
“I have high expectations for our team here”, Honduras head coach Rony Martinez said. “We are not only here to compete, but we want to get a higher ranking in NORCECA because these kids are the future of volleyball in Honduras.”
For Curacao, it is the first international tournament for its head coach Gilbert Paulina and his players. Despite the lack of international experience, he expressed that his team will do its best taking advantage of balance in offense and defense.
“The team is in good condition”, Gilbert said. “The guys have good defense and attack – they do not give up. I hope we go far in this tournament.”
Like Curacao, St. Vincent will look to score some valuable experience in its first international competition at this level.
“We expect to play our best volleyball here and gain valuable experience because it is our first time playing at this level”, St. Vincent head coach Brian Burke said. “We hope to have an upset or two and surprise some teams.”
