Pulliza Helps Puerto Rico to Pan Am Quarterfinals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorback head coach Robert Pulliza has helped lead Puerto Rico to the quarterfinals of the XVII Pan American Games in Toronto. With a straight-set win over Peru in the final match of pool play Sunday, the Puerto Rico National Team will face Argentina in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round. Pulliza is serving as an assistant coach for his home country.

Following Wednesday’s matches, competition continues Thursday with the semifinal round along with the fifth- and seventh-place matches. The medal round of the prestigious global competition will be contested Saturday.

Pulliza is continuing his coaching role with Puerto Rico that began in June at the NORCECA Champions Cup in Havana, Cuba. Prior to the Pan American Games, he helped Puerto Rico qualify for the FIVB World Grand Prix Group 2 finals that will begin July 31 in Lublin, Poland. Along with the other stops during this summer’s schedule, Pulliza has also traveled to Bulgaria with the Puerto Rico National Team.

Pulliza wasn’t the only Razorback to represent Puerto Rico this summer as 2015 newcomer Pilar Victoria also donned the colors of her home country. She saw action in nine sets during the opening weekend of Grand Prix play. Her run with the Puerto Rico National Team began in May at the Calgary 2015 event. In June, Victoria helped the teams to a fifth-place finish at the XIV Pan American Cup in Lima, Peru.

Victoria is part of the Razorbacks’ five-player recruiting class for the upcoming 2015 season which also features Kimi Davis of Rogers, Ark., Juliette Fidon of France, Fernanda Güiton of Mexico and Okiana Valle of Puerto Rico. Victoria comes to Fayetteville as a junior after spending the first two year of her collegiate career at Texas.

When the Razorbacks return to the court for their Aug. 28 season opener against McNeese State, the roster will feature 12 returners from last year’s team including seniors Monica Bollinger, All-SEC performer Chanell Clark-Bibbs and Liz Fortado. Season tickets are now on sale through the Razorback Ticket Center by calling 800-982-4647 or emailing raztk@uark.edu. Click HERE to purchase tickets online. Each purchase includes a free team knit hat.

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