# Cuba women's national volleyball team

The Cuba women's national volleyball team was the first team to break the USSR's and Japan's domination in the world women's volleyball by winning the 1978 World Women's Volleyball Championship.
Cuba women's national volleyball team dominated the world in the last decade of the 20th century (1991–2000), winning eight times in row as FIVB World Champions in straight (6th World Cup in 1991, Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, 12th World Championship in 1994, 7th World Cup in 1995, Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, 13th World Championship in 1998, 8th World Cup in 1999, Sydney Olympic Games in 2000).
The team's nickname was Las Espectaculares Morenas del Caribe ("The Spectacular Caribbean Girls" in English).

## Winner of 10 major world titles

| Year | Games | Host | Runner-up | Third Place |
| 1978 | 8th World Championship | USSR | Japan | Soviet Union |
| 1989 | 5th World Cup | Japan | Soviet Union | China |
| 1991 # | 6th World Cup | Japan | China | Soviet Union |
| 1992 # | Barcelona Olympic Games | Spain | Unified Team | United States |
| 1994 # | 12th World Championship | Brazil | Brazil | Russia |
| 1995 # | 7th World Cup | Japan | Brazil | China |
| 1996 # | Atlanta Olympic Games | USA | China | Brazil |
| 1998 # | 13th World Championship | Japan | China | Russia |
| 1999 # | 8th World Cup | Japan | Russia | Brazil |
| 2000 # | Sydney Olympic Games | Australia | Russia | Brazil |
# – 8 consecutive major titles in 1990s (World Women's Volleyball Championship, World Cup, Olympic Games)

## Results
### Olympic Games

* 1964 – did not participate
* 1968 – did not participate
* 1972 – 6th place
* 1976 – 6th place
* 1980 – 6th place
* 1984 – did not participate
* 1988 – did not participate
* 1992 – Gold Medal
* 1996 – Gold Medal
* 2000 – Gold Medal
* 2004 – Bronze Medal
* 2008 – 4th place
* 2012 – did not participate
* 2016 – did not participate
* 2020 – did not participate
* 2024 – did not participate

### World Championship

* 1952 – did not compete
* 1956 – did not compete
* 1960 – did not compete
* 1962 – did not compete
* 1967 – did not compete
* 1970 – 8th place
* 1974 – 7th place
* 1978 – Gold Medal
* 1982 – 5th place
* 1986 – Silver Medal
* 1990 – 4th place
* 1994 – Gold Medal
* 1998 – Gold Medal
* 2002 – 5th place
* 2006 – 7th place
* 2010 – 12th place
* 2014 – 21st place
* 2018 – 22nd place
* 2022 – did not compete
* 2025 — Qualified

### World Cup

* 1973 – 5th place
* 1977 – Silver Medal
* 1981 – 6th place
* 1985 – Silver Medal
* 1989 – Gold Medal
* 1991 – Gold Medal
* 1995 – Gold Medal
* 1999 – Gold Medal
* 2003 – 6th place
* 2007 – 4th place
* 2011 – did not qualify
* 2015 – 9th place
* 2019 – did not qualify
* 2023 – did not qualify

### World Grand Prix

* 1993 – Gold Medal
* 1994 – Silver Medal
* 1995 – Bronze Medal
* 1996 – Silver Medal
* 1997 – Silver Medal
* 1998 – Bronze Medal
* 1999 – 5th place
* 2000 – Gold Medal
* 2001 – 4th place
* 2002 – 7th place
* 2003 – 11th place
* 2004 – 4th place
* 2005 – 4th place
* 2006 – 4th place
* 2007 – 7th place
* 2008 – Silver Medal
* 2009 – did not participate
* 2010 – did not participate
* 2011 – 11th place
* 2012 – 6th place
* 2013 – 19th place
* 2014 – 20th place
* 2015 – 25th place
* 2016 – 25th place

### FIVB World Grand Champions Cup

* 1993 – Gold Medal
* 1997 – Silver Medal

### Pan American Games

* 1955 – did not participate
* 1959 – did not participate
* 1963 – did not participate
* 1967 – Bronze Medal
* 1971 – Gold Medal
* 1975 – Gold Medal
* 1979 – Gold Medal
* 1983 – Gold Medal
* 1987 – Gold Medal
* 1991 – Gold Medal
* 1995 – Gold Medal
* 1999 – Silver Medal
* 2003 – Silver Medal
* 2007 – Gold Medal
* 2011 – Silver Medal
* 2015 – 5th place

### Pan-American Cup

* 2002 – Gold Medal
* 2003 – Bronze Medal
* 2004 – Gold Medal
* 2005 – Gold Medal
* 2006 – Silver Medal
* 2007 – Gold Medal
* 2008 – 11th place
* 2009 – did not participate
* 2010 – 4th place
* 2011 – 4th place
* 2012 – Bronze Medal
* 2013 – 6th place
* 2014 – 5th place
* 2015 – 4th place
* 2016 – 4th place
* 2017 – 5th place
* 2018 – 7th place
* 2019 – 8th place
* 2020 – 5th place
* 2021 – 5th place

### Final Four Cup

* 2008 – 4th place
* 2009 – did not participate
* 2010 – did not participate

## Current squad

The following is the Cuban roster in the 2018 World Championship.
Head coach: Tomás Fernández
| No. | Name | Date of birth | Height | Weight | Spike | Block | 2019–20 club |
| 1 | Claudia Hernández Aguila | 9 January 1997 | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 78 kg (172 lb) | 225 cm (89 in) | 223 cm (88 in) | Volley-Ball Club Chamalières |
| 4 | Lianny Tamayo Canton | 30 April 1999 | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | 58 kg (128 lb) | 295 cm (116 in) | 290 cm (110 in) | CV Emeve |
| 7 | Evilania Martínez Luis | 11 January 2000 | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | 71 kg (157 lb) | 305 cm (120 in) | 300 cm (120 in) | Camagüey |
| 8 | Diaris Pérez (c) | 16 November 1998 | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 75 kg (165 lb) | 304 cm (120 in) | 295 cm (116 in) | Volley-Ball Club Chamalières |
| 11 | Gretell Elena Moreno Borrero | 30 January 1998 | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) | 68 kg (150 lb) | 287 cm (113 in) | 280 cm (110 in) | VK Královo Pole Brno |
| 12 | Ailama Cesé Montalvo | 29 October 2000 | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | 58 kg (128 lb) | 322 cm (127 in) | 308 cm (121 in) | Uralochka-NTMK |
| 14 | Jessica Aguilera Carbajal | 25 May 1999 | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | 68 kg (150 lb) | 311 cm (122 in) | 302 cm (119 in) | Volley-Ball Club Chamalières |
| 13 | Yamileidys Viltres | 26 July 2001 | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | 77 kg (170 lb) | 308 cm (121 in) | 295 cm (116 in) | Uralochka-URGEU |
| 19 | Laura Beatriz Suárez Hernández | 13 December 1998 | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 75 kg (165 lb) | 304 cm (120 in) | 292 cm (115 in) | Deportivo Jaamsa |
| 22 | Egli Sabin Terry | 25 November 1991 | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | 76 kg (168 lb) | 315 cm (124 in) | 308 cm (121 in) | Leskovac 98 |
| 23 | Daima del Río Preval | 9 September 2000 | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 77 kg (170 lb) | 326 cm (128 in) | 324 cm (128 in) | UTE Budapest |
| 25 | Ivy May Vila Wittingham | 22 July 2001 | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | 78 kg (172 lb) | 325 cm (128 in) | 322 cm (127 in) | Camagüey |

## Former squads

* 1976 Olympic Games – 5th place
    Nelly Barnet, Evelina Borroto, Ana Díaz, Ana María García, Miriam Herrera, Mercedes Pérez, Mercedes Pomares, Mercedes Roca, Melanea Tartabull, Imilsis Téllez, Lucila Urgelles and Claudina Villaurrutia. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 1978 World Championship – Gold medal
    Nelly Barnet, Ana Díaz, Erenia Díaz, Ana María García, Mavis Guilarte, Libertad González, Sirenia Martínez, Mercedes Pérez, Mercedes Pomares, Imilsis Téllez and Lucila Urgelles. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 1980 Olympic Games – 5th place
    Maura Alfonso, Nelly Barnet, Ana Díaz, Erenia Díaz, Josefina Capote, Ana María García, Libertad Gonzalez, Mavis Guilarte, Mercedes Pérez, Mercedes Pomares, Imilsis Téllez and Lucila Urgelles. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 1992 Olympic Games – Gold medal
    Regla Bell, Mercedes Calderón, Magalys Carvajal, Marlenys Costa, Ana Fernández, Idalmis Gato, Lilia Izquierdo, Norka Latamblet, Mireya Luis, Raisa O'Farril, Tania Ortiz and Regla Torres. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 1994 World Championship – Gold medal
    Regla Bell, Mercedes Calderón, Magalys Carvajal, Marlenys Costa, Ana Fernández, Mirka Francia, Idalmis Gato, Mireya Luis Hernández, Lilia Izquierdo, Sonia Lescaille, Tania Ortíz and Regla Torres. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 1996 Olympic Games – Gold medal
    Taismary Agüero, Regla Bell, Magalys Carvajal, Marlenys Costa, Ana Fernández, Mirka Francia, Idalmis Gato, Lilia Izquierdo, Mireya Luis, Raisa O'Farril, Yumilka Ruíz and Regla Torres. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 1998 World Championship – Gold medal
    Taismary Agüero, Regla Bell, Marlenys Costa, Mirka Francia, Mireya Luis, Lilia Izquierdo, Liana Mesa, Indira Mestre, Yumilka Ruíz, Martha Sánchez, Regla Torres and Ana Fernández. Head coach: Antonio Perdomo.
* 1999 FIVB World Cup – Gold medal
    Taismary Agüero, Azurima Álvarez, Regla Bell, Marlenys Costa, Mirka Francia, Lilia Izquierdo, Enia Martínez, Liana Mesa, Yoselín Roque Palacios, Yumilka Ruíz, Martha Sánchez and Ana Fernández. Head coach: Antonio Perdomo.
* 2000 Olympic Games – Gold medal
    Taismary Agüero, Zoila Barros, Regla Bell, Marlenys Costa, Ana Fernández, Mirka Francia, Idalmis Gato, Lilia Izquierdo, Mireya Luis, Yumilka Ruíz, Martha Sánchez and Regla Torres. Head coach: Luis Felipe Calderón
* 2001 FIVB World Grand Prix – 4th place
    Zoila Barros, Ana Fernández, Maisbelis Martínez, Misleidis Martínez, Liana Mesa, Indira Mestre, Anniara Muñoz, Yoslan Muñoz, Yaima Ortiz, Yumilka Ruíz, Martha Sánchez and Regla Torres. Head coach: Luis Felipe Calderón.
* 2002 World Championship – 5th place
    Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Nancy Carrillo, Liana Mesa, Indira Mestre, Anniara Muñoz, Yoslan Muñoz, Yaima Ortiz, Yumilka Ruíz, Martha Sánchez, Yanelis Santos and Regla Torres. Head coach: Luis Felipe Calderón.
* 2003 FIVB World Cup – 6th place
    Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Nancy Carrillo, Maisbelis Martínez, Liana Mesa, Anniara Muñoz, Yaima Ortiz, Daimí Ramírez, Yumilka Ruíz, Martha Sánchez, Yanelis Santos and Dulce Téllez. Head coach: Luis Felipe Calderón.
* 2004 Olympic Games – Bronze medal
    Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Nancy Carrillo, Ana Fernández, Maisbelis Martínez, Liana Mesa, Anniara Muñoz, Yaima Ortíz, Daimí Ramírez, Yumilka Ruíz, Marta Sánchez and María Téllez. Head coach: Luis Felipe Calderón.
* 2005 FIVB World Grand Prix – 4th place
    Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Nancy Carrillo, Kenia Carcaces, Maisbelis Martínez, Liana Mesa, Yaima Ortíz, Daimí Ramírez, Yumilka Ruíz, Rachel Sánchez and Yanelis Santos. Head coach: Luis Felipe Calderón.
* 2006 World Championship – 7th place
    Lisbet Arredondo, Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Kenia Carcaces, Nancy Carrillo, Yenisey Gonzalez, Liana Mesa, Yaima Ortíz, Daimí Ramírez, Yumilka Ruíz (c), Rachel Sánchez and Yanelis Santos. Head coach: Eugenio George Lafita.
* 2007 NORCECA Championship – Gold medal
    Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Nancy Carrillo, Kenia Carcaces, Yenisey González, Yusleidys Hernández, Yaima Ortíz, Daimí Ramírez, Yumilka Ruíz (c), Yanelis Santos, Yusidey Silié and Gyselle Silva. Head coach: Antonio Perdomo.
* 2007 FIVB World Cup – 4th place
    Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderón, Kenia Carcaces, Nancy Carrillo, Yenisei González, Yusleidys Herera, Yaima Ortiz, Daimí Ramírez, Yumilka Ruíz (c), Dominica Salmon, Rachel Sánchez, Yanelis Santos and Yusidey Silié. Head coach: Antonio Perdomo.
* 2011 Pan-American Games – Silver medal
    Emily Borrell, Kenia Carcaces, Liannes Castañeda, Ana Yilian Cleger, Rosanna Giel, Daymara Lescay, Yoana Palacios, Alena Rojas, Wilma Salas, Yanelis Santos, Yusidey Silie (c) and Gyselle Silva. Head coach: Juan Carlos Gala.