The Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas and the Cayman Island are expected to be represented at the 7th UWI/Pelican Volleyball Invitational slated for Friday, November 16 to Sunday, November 18, 2012 at the UWI Gymnasium at the Mona Bowl. 
 
Technocrats Volleyball Club ‘A’ and ‘B’ male teams and female team ‘A’ will be representing the twin island republic Trinidad & Tobago. A The Cayman Select Team and a Caribbean Select Team round out the regional squads for the annual tournament, which has become a staple of the national sports calendar drawing attention due to the usually high quality of play. Dalton Myers, Director of Sports at UWI says “It is truly representative of that UWI Mona spirit of excellence, determination and vibes”. 
 
Trinidad and Tobago’s Technocrats will be pressing for the title this year, after successfully defending their women’s title in the Mark Daly Volleyball Invitational held in Mucurapo, Trinidad earlier in July. 
 
Last year’s beaten female finalist Agozar, now known as Miami Select, will be back to take another shot at the UWI/Pelican title. The US based team will be banking heavily on Natalia Davilia and Kelly Dantas, who won the Best Server and Best Blocker Awards respectively at last year’s staging of the Invitational. 
 
A total of seven male and eight female teams will be on show as they vie for the first place US dollar cash prize as well as the many individual and team awards provided by this year’s tournament sponsors’. 
 
On the female side, defending champions UWI “A” will face stiff challenge from the overseas clubs and top local outfits Venus All Stars, MOSA Volleyball Club and GC Foster College. UWI’s victory bid will once again rest on the shoulders of last year’s MVP Cheryl Daley, defender Renae Temple and setter Kamille Dwyer-Thomas. 
 
A new champion will be crowned in the male section as defending champion Deacons from Barbados will not be taking part this year. The 2011 runner up Vikings will be gunning for the title this time around, especially after losing to the UWI in the recently held MOSA Volleyball Invitational. Vikings will however face strong competition from the buoyant UWI “A” and “B” Teams, Venus Volleyball Club, GC Foster and the overseas squads. 
 
The action starts at 9am on November 16 - 17 and culminates on Sunday November 18 with the Finals at 4pm. 
 
The three-day event to be held in the UWI Gymnasium at the Mona Bowl, is sponsored by J Wray and Nephew, CB Chicken, Hy-lyte, Neutrogena, Colgate, Johnson & Johnson, Jamaica Tourist Board, Guardsman Group, Television Jamaica, Hotel Four Seasons, Softsheen Carson, Unilever, Red Bull and others.