Captain - Prisilla Rivera
Prisilla Rivera was not in the Dominican Republic squad for the 2015 World Grand Prix, but returns to captain the team at this World Cup. She has won many individual awards – so many, in fact, that she has been nicknamed MVPri. She was named Best Spiker of the 2011 Pan American Cup, in which the Dominican Republic finished second. The middle blocker was also selected Most Valuable Player of the Queen's Cup in Spain in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the 2010 Pan American Cup and the 2009 North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation [NORCECA] Championship.
She began playing volleyball at age 12 after a friend invited her to try the sport. Rivera's memorable sporting achievements are competing at two Olympic Games. Her Dominican team finished equal 11th in 2004 and equal fifth in 2012. Not content with two Olympic appearances, her ambition is to win a medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Star Player - Brenda Castillo
Brenda Castillo took up volleyball in Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, after watching the Dominican Republic women's volleyball team win the gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. Within four years she had made her debut for the Dominican Republic national team, playing in a match in China in 2007.
She was a star of the London 2012 Olympic Games where she was named Best Libero of the competition, helping the national team to finish fifth. In June 2013 she was suspended for a year for disciplinary issues, but the ban was later reduced to one month after she issued an apology. She showed her worth by being named Most Valuable Player, Best Libero, Best Receiver and Best Digger of the 2014 Pan American Cup in Mexico City, where the Dominican Republic won the tournament. At club level she spent many seasons playing for Rabit Baku in the Azerbaijani league.
She also played beach volleyball at national level, and her sporting hero is Dominican volleyball player Milagros Cabral.
