Nedd pleased with shortlisted players for Bolivia tourney

Following the first of many shortlisting sessions for both male and female senior volleyball teams over the weekend ahead of the Bolivia Invitational on May 26, National Coach Levi Nedd said he was satisfied with the current 31 players selected.
The final selection for the men was conducted on Sunday at the National Gymnasium, where Nedd selected some 16 males who will continue training alongside their female counterparts in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
Nedd told Guyana Times Sport on Tuesday that he was pleased with his selection choices, as he was impressed with what he saw.

“In the male section, we have to knock off some rust from them, because they have not played in seniors on the international scene for some time. As such, I have to bring them up to par with the international preparation and competency needed and how to put forward themselves,” said Nedd.
Some of the players selected have been in the international fray for some time while others are new to the international circuit; however, the veteran coach believed that with the experience, the males can only improve, it is now up to the inexperienced ladies to build their overseas credentials.
“We have a good crop of players; in terms of specifications needed, such as high jumping and power, we have persons there. It’s just ‘bout preparing them for the tournament. In terms of the females, they might be a bit more difficult, because they have to work on their international system. They (girls) have not been out there in a while, but it’s good for them when they get out there,” he added.
Speaking on the challenges of the selection process thus far, the ex-national player denounced any hardships, saying “For me, I think it was easy this time around, the crop we have might have been the best. I think it was easy this time, because the competitiveness was there, but heading down to the final 14; it might be a bit more difficult.”
Concluding his interview, the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) President confirmed that the road to Bolivia would be a hard one as he expected to step up training as the days wind down. “As it is, Berbice [players] is training in Berbice and Demerara is training in Demerara with Berbice training in the evenings and Demerara more likely in the afternoons. It’s hoped that we can gel quickly as we train leading up to crunch time. Last year, we would have done well so we have to put everything into our preparation and want to do well, both players and the administration,” he concluded. All players shortlisted will now continue their training with the men’s current 16 being reduced to a final 14 while the 15-woman team will be trimmed to 14. (Clifton Ross)