Week Two of FIVB World Grand Prix in Bulgaria

July 10, 2015

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After winning two of three matches last weekend, the Puerto Rico National Team resumes play in the FIVB World Grand Prix Friday against the Czech Republic. Razorback head coach Robert Pulliza continues his role with the team representing his home country. During the weekend in Samokov, Bulgaria, the schedule also features matches against Croatia and host Bulgaria.

After last weekend’s opening round of matches, Puerto Rico is second overall among eight teams in the Group 2 standings with a 2-1 record which is good for seven points. The top qualifying teams will advance to the Group 2 Finals that are set to be held July 31-August 2 in Lublin, Poland. Puerto Rico enters the weekend with wins over Canada and Poland during last weekend’s opener.

Pulliza is serving as an assistant coach for the Puerto Rico National Team this summer, a role that began in June at the NORCECA Champions Cup in Havana, Cuba. In addition to the Grand Prix, the team’s summer schedule also includes the XVII Pan American Games in Toronto. The prestigious, global competition begins later this month.

Proud of this future #Razorback and how she represented the #RazorbackNation at the @FIVBGrandPrix! #WPS pic.twitter.com/eEv8InRnqH

— Robert Pulliza (@RobertPulliza) July 6, 2015

Pilar Victoria was part of the opening-weekend roster and saw action in nine of 13 sets last weekend as she continued her recent run with the Puerto Rico National Team which began in May at the Calgary 2015 event, the largest-ever volleyball competition held in Canada. In June, she earned a spot on the roster that competed at the XIV Pan American Cup in Lima, Peru. Victoria helped the team advance to the fifth-place match in the 12-team tournament.

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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