BAMESO player goes up for the spike

BAMESO went undefeated in 2004 and team member, Victor Batista, was the tournament MVP. Alejandro Salas, Eury Almonte, and Francisco Valdez were also awarded honors for the All–Tournament Team. Other accomplishments included full scholarship opportunities for two of the players.

The BAMESO men players contribute their success to standing as a united front on and off the court. Phillip Caines, one of the powerful team’s members, said mentoring proved to be a powerful tool. He admits the team conducts itself as though they shared an Olympian camaraderie. The BAMESO Olympians stand from 6’8" to 6’11", a tall and proud team.

From the women’s team, Iris Santos, Lauren Ford, and Shonda Cole of USC will travel to the Denver Convention Center May 14–June 1, 2005. They prepare for the exciting event by working diligently on team strategy, refining team drillwork, and improving individual fitness. Hours of daily preparation demonstrate their competitive spirit to their team captain, Ulises Noboa. Noboa, a professional volleyball instructor who has lived in Columbia for three years, mastered the game of volleyball in the Dominican Republic and brought his strength, energy, and training to share with volleyball enthusiasts in Columbia.

“We hope to bring back the gold medal,” said Noboa, “but we are still a work in progress. We need financial scholarships to make sure each of the players can afford to go. It is overwhelming to meet the costs for uniforms, flight tickets, meals, rentals, charters for 35 people.”

The defending champions will practice from May 14 until May 26 at the Plex Indoor Sports center at the new Sandshill shopping facility. Sports spectators are invited to the exhibition game to watch BAMESO men’s and women’s team scrimmage May 19 and 20 at the Plex Indoor Sports Center.

BAMESO is offering volleyball clinics to juniors at the Plex Indoor Sports Center June 2–12 after the teams return from the Denver tournament.

Those interested in serving as sponsors for the BAMESO team, may reach Ulises Noboa at www.Bameso.org.