Latvia's women volleyball team suffers painful defeat in first test match against Azerbaijan

Latvia's women's national volleyball team has suffered a painful defeat in its first test match against Azerbaijan's national side. The match was part of the team's preparation phase, featuring players who build their careers at clubs across Europe and North America.

The squad

The roster included players from numerous foreign clubs. Elvita Dolotova represents Riga Stradins University, while Elza Reknere plays for Belgian club Tchalou in Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont. Marta Kamelija Levinska plays for Germany's Dresdner SC 1898, and Megija Dambrehte represents Finland's Kuusamo Polkky. Paula Nikola Neciporuka plays for French club Saint-Die-des-Vosges, Anija Jurdza represents a club in Wroclaw, Poland, and Sarlote Slitere plays for the Riga Volleyball School and the University of Latvia.

The squad also includes sisters Katrina and Karmena Struka — the former plays for Italy's Millenium Brescia, the latter for Germany's Ladies in Black Aachen. Junora Vagele represents Germany's Stralsund Wildcats, Anna Rita studies and plays at Coastal Carolina University in the United States, and Marta Beatrise Gintere plays for UP Olomouc in the Czech Republic.

Also named to the squad were Megija Grundmane and Kristine Kramena, both representing Riga Stradins University, Sandija Berzina of the Jurmala Volleyball Club and Jurmala Sports School, Elina Zvaigzne, who plays for Germany's Freisen, and Linda Racina of Jurmala Sports School.

Despite fielding a large and experienced roster, Latvia's national team suffered a painful loss in its opening test match against Azerbaijan.