FAYETTEVILLE – Former Razorback student-athlete Janeliss Torres-Lopez will represent her native Puerto Rico at this weekend’s FIVB World Grand Prix opening round. The four-team round of pool takes place July 25-27 in Caguas, Puerto Rico. This is the first of three weeks of pool play leading to the championship rounds Aug. 14-16 in Kozalin, Poland.
Puerto Rico is part of the group two and is set to face Argentina, Cuba and the Netherlands this weekend in Pool K. The rest of the group also features Belgium, Canada, Peru and Poland. Week two of pool play will take place Aug. 1-3 in Trujillo, Peru while the third week of qualifying will be contested Aug. 8-10 in Doetinchem, Netherlands. The winning team from the group will play in the World Grand Prix Finals.
Playing professionally for Leonas de Ponce of the LVSF during the past season, Torres-Lopez was named the 2014 Rookie of the Year in April by the Puerto Rico National Volleyball Federation. During her career at Arkansas (2009-12), she totaled 549 kills, 327 total blocks and 760.5 points. She is the Razorbacks’ career leader during rally scoring (2008-pres.) in total blocks.
Torres-Lopez was one of three former Razorbacks to play in the LVSF championship series. She and Raymariely Santos (2010-13) were members of Leonas de Ponce while Ashley Vazquez (2012-13) helped Criollas de Caguas win the league title. With the result in Puerto Rico, the Razorbacks had two former standouts win professional titles in the last year with Amanda Anderson (2009-12) helping Brondby win a league title in Denmark.
The Razorbacks’ 2014 season begins Aug. 29 with day one of the Arkansas Invitational at Barnhill Arena. Arkansas will face Tennessee State, Stephen F. Austin and Michigan during the season-opening weekend. Season tickets are currently available beginning at $40, a price that includes a free team knit hat. For more information, call the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-4647 or visit the online ticket center at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
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