Volleyball Ireland has announced an 11 Woman squad to compete in the Confederation de Europeene Volleyball (CEV) Small Countries Zone Championships in Luxembourg next week.
The squad features no less than six players from UCD Volleyball Club, as well as representatives from Galway, Naas, Santry and University College Cork – as well as 16 year old Libero Siofra Lawlor of RSR Walfer Luxembourg, and formerly of Newbridge Volleyball Club in Kildare.
Head Coach Fabio Tamborinni said, “The girls have been working phenomenally hard the last few months preparing for the challenge. We are in good shape to compete with the best emerging nations in Europe.”
The Tournament features 6 teams (Ireland, Faroe Islands, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Greenland and hosts Luxembourg), with two groups of three meaning tough games on Day one against Scotland and favourites Faroe Islands. Team Captain and Galway Wing Olivia Molloy added, “We have the tough side of the draw but hopefully that will sharpen us up. We have prepared really well and we can’t wait to represent our Country on the International stage.”
The squad in full;
Regina Halpin, UCD
Olivia Molloy, Galway
Eimear O’Neill, UCD
Alex Graves, UCD
Emily Frazell, UCD
Fiona Lamont, UCD
Aoibhin Cassidy, Naas
Roisin Roantree, Craigavon Aztecs
Carly Donaghy, Santry
Marie-Claire Sobogal, UCD
Siofra Lawlor, RSR Walfer (Luxembourg)
Head Coach: Fabio Tamborrini
Assistant Coach: Jennifer Moret
Team Manager: Gary Stewart
Referee: Vinnie Dos Santos (Dublin VC)