FORMER KILLIAN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS PLAYING AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.

Three former Miami Killian High school volleyball players are now playing international and semi-pro volleyball:

1) Shedrick Forbes representing the Bahamas in World Qualifier.
2) Joelle Warring representing Jamaica’s women in the World Qualifier in Puerto Rico July 7-9, 2009.
3) Ricardo Diaz playing Semi-pro Volleyball in Puerto Rico.


Shedrick Forbes: 2004 Killian graduate, 2003 & 2004 All-Dade boys volleyball player, and 2009 Warner Southern University graduate. He is representing his country, The Bahamas in their quest for the 2010 World Championship in Italy. Shedrick and Team Bahamas qualified for the third round of NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN (NORCECA)-H in Cuba on August 12-17, 2009 by beating Jamaica on May 23, 2009 in four sets. Team Bahamas will travel to Cuba to compete against Canada, Suriname, and the host team. In the match against Jamaica, Shedrick Forbes led three Bahamians with double figures in scoring with 15 points. He was third in the tournament with 42 points.

(See World Qualifier Best
Player standing).

Bahamas Team picture.

Shedrick has contributed 42 points to his team’s success during the second round of the world qualifier. I spoke to Shedrick from Bahamas and he assured me that his team is working very hard to improve their level of play and making adjustments before they leave for Cuba. He said, “The level of play on the international stage is much higher, therefore I am working to change the way I played the game at the college level. I am working on improvement my mental strength and making adjustment to the different style of coaching”. When asked about the teams the Bahamas will be competing against, Shedrick said, “Cuba is the team to beat along with Canada”. He said that the other team Suriname should not be over looked. Shedrick said he will be giving his best and is anticipating learning something from this memorable experience.

Joelle Warring: Killian’s 2008 graduate, 2007 & 2008 All-Dade player, 2008 All-Dade Volleyball Player of the year, 2008 All State Team, South Dade Volleyball Club, and freshman at Florida Tech Joelle represented Jamaica at the 2009 World Qualifier in Puerto Rico from July 7-9, 2009.



Our own Joelle Warring has stepped into the international volleyball circuit starting Tuesday July 7 as she and team Jamaica competed in the third round of the World Qualifier against Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. The winner from this tournament will advance to the world championship round in Japan in 2010. Joelle did not compete in the second round because of injury, however, she made remarkable improvement and went to Jamaica for the try-out and made the team. “I am so elated to have made the national team; I never envision playing for Jamaica until coach Reid suggested that I try out for the team”. Joelle said, “The level of play at the international level is different, it is faster, more powerful, more athletic, and the number of substitution is limited to two entries per set per player”. “However, I am having fun and learning new stuff, I want to improve on my level of play during my time on this team”.


(Team Picture: #5 Joelle Warring)

In the third round of the qualifier in Puerto Rico, Joelle was ranked 7th as Receiver, 9th as Spiker, 14th as digger, and 16th as scorer. Joelle wants to continue playing at the national level and was happy to be given the opportunity to be playing for Jamaica.

Ricardo Diaz: He tried out for his native Puerto Rico volleyball (WORLD ranked #10, NORCECA #3) team during June, but unfortunately did not make the final cut. However, the national team’s coach commended him for his outstanding vertical jumps, and suggested that he continue training with other local teams and gives it another try next time. Miami Killian’s Ricardo Diaz a 2005 graduate, a 2005 All-Dade volleyball player, and who played one year of volleyball at Warner Southern University is now a semi-pro volleyball player in Puerto Rico. Ricardo plays for the semi-pro team; Guaynado Pitirres near San Juan Puerto Rico. He joined the team in 2008 and helped them win the championship title in his first year. Ricardo also attends the Caribbean university while playing volleyball in Puerto. He has also played club volleyball for the South Florida Volleyball and was a member of the 2nd placed team at 2004 the National championships. Ricardo is presently holidaying in Miami with his mother, sister and brother.

Special Thanks from Coach Clinton Reid of Killian High-School for helping us highlight the successful careers of three former students. It's great to see all the places that volleyball can take us.