Cuban Women’s Volleyball: Are we taking off?"

For Cuban sports enthusiasts, recalling the history of women’s volleyball is to immerse oneself in a collective memory marked by triumphs and unforgettable moments. The “spectacular Caribbean brunettes” were more than a team; they became a symbol of national sport and a source of pride that transcended borders.

Under the vision and leadership of the legendary Eugenio George, architect of that remarkable era, Cuba did not just conquer the world: it dominated with overwhelming authority during the 1990s. The world titles in Leningrad 1978, Brazil 1994, and Japan 1998 are merely milestones within a career crowned by an epic feat: three consecutive Olympic gold medals in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000. An achievement that remains alive in the collective imagination and seems to defy the limits of possibility for future generations.

A Long Decline

However, since their last Olympic appearance in Beijing 2008, where they achieved a respectable fourth place, the women’s team has undergone a prolonged and profound decline. The reasons for these results are multiple and interwoven in a complex web of factors, which are beyond the scope of this analysis. What is undeniable is that a team that once competed in world and Olympic finals now struggles even within Central America, a region once dominated even by secondary-line rosters.

The contrast is evident when comparing the current state of Cuban men’s volleyball, which, under similar adverse conditions, has managed to reposition itself among the global elite of this highly competitive sport, encompassing more than 200 national federations, as demonstrated by its recent celebrated qualification for the final phase of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

Signs of Hope

A faint glimmer of hope arrived with the performance at the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción. Fifth place may not be a remarkable result, but it opened a window of optimism following the strategic appointment of Brazilian coach Luizomar de Moura, renowned for his achievements in the Brazilian Volleyball League, considered one of the best in the world.

Just a month after his arrival on the bench, the team faced its first true test: the 2025 Women’s Volleyball World Championship, held for the first time in Thailand from August 22 to September 7. Placed in the challenging Group B, the Caribbean team faced Belgium, the Olympic champions Italy, and Slovakia.

The last participation of Cuba in a World Championship dates back to 2018 in Japan, where the team finished 22nd, its worst performance in history. In the 2022 edition, held in the Netherlands and Poland, the team did not qualify.

Although the overall result in Thailand was negative, given the previous conditions, it revealed clear signs of latent potential that could emerge with more time and work. Against Belgium and Italy, the Cubans were swept with heavy scores, highlighting the wide technical and tactical gap at this level of play.

A Glimpse of the Future

However, already eliminated and free from pressure, they offered a glimpse of the future against Slovakia. They presented an improved version of themselves, with solid defense, greater concentration in decisive moments, and, above all, a fighting spirit that had previously been absent. After 14 years without victories in World Championships, the Cuban team achieved a narrow 3-1 win (27-25, 25-21, 22-25, 26-24).

“We entered the court today with great confidence in the work we have been doing and the process we are going through, determined to achieve victory,” said middle blocker Laura Suárez after the match. “I believe the team had a different attitude today, and I am happy that it led us to victory.”

Individual Highlights

Individually, key players carrying the weight of the national team stood out. Evilania Martínez Luis, an outside hitter measuring 1.85 meters, was the most efficient player on the Cuban squad. She ranked 24th among the top scorers in the group stage, with a total of 34 points (31 in attacks, 3 in blocks) and an offensive efficiency of 38.27 percent, making her the only Cuban among the tournament’s most effective players.

Opposite hitter Dezirett Madan, 22 years old and 1.90 meters tall, scored 29 points (27 in attacks, 1 in block, and 1 from service). However, her offensive efficiency was only 28.72 percent, and her average of 9.67 points per game is below the international standard required for a key position like hers. Laura Suárez contributed 26 points (19 attacks, 5 blocks, 2 services), demonstrating stable performance.

Optimism Amid Challenges

Despite the brief World Championship run and currently holding 27th place in the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) rankings, which reflects the arduous task ahead, optimism is present. The team possesses talent, youth, and the physical attributes necessary to aspire to return to the highest level of volleyball. Intense work is the only requirement, and motivation abounds.

The path to reconstruction will be long and demanding. In team sports, there are no magical solutions or immediate results. Future success will only come from meticulous work that restores the foundational development capable of supplying talent to national rosters. In this monumental endeavor, the arrival of a strategist of the caliber and experience of Luizomar de Moura could indeed mark the long-awaited turning point. Integrating the physical power characteristic of the Cuban school with the virtuosity and dynamism of Brazilian volleyball represents a complex challenge for the experienced coach.

His challenge is monumental: it is not only about rebuilding a team but also about reviving a lineage and winning culture that was once an undisputed benchmark worldwide.

The volleyball courts of the world miss the power and beauty of Cuban women’s volleyball. Let us dream big: one year ahead of the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, the story could be different.