COLIMA, Mexico, June 29, 2007.- Cuban middle-blocker Nancy Carrillo was elected as the Most Valuable Player of the Sixth Annual Women’s Pan American Cup won by her team with a victory over Brazil.

Carrillo was also de best attacker and the best server of the twelve-team competition, a qualifier for the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

Dominicans Bethania de la Cruz and Carmen Rosa Caso resulted in the best scorer and libero and Canadians Tasha Holness and Larissa Cundy were the best blocker and setter respectively.

Peruvian Vanessa Palacios and Brazilian Camila Brait were the top receiver and defender of the sixth edition of the intercontinental event. More Spanish 

Nancy Carrillo

COLIMA, Mexico, June 29, 2007.- Cuba once again proved that there is no substitute for experience and won the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup for the fourth time in six years.

The poised Olympic bronze medallists took the title at the sixth edition of the intercontinental event by teaching a volleyball lesson to the Junior Team of Brazil. They won in straight sets by scores of  25-14, 25-21, 25-20.

The Cubans employed their trademark strong serves to neutralize the Brazilian squad during a match that lasted just 69 minutes. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 29, 2007.-  Cindy Rondon and Milagros Cabral combined for 38 points carrying the Dominican Republic to a third place finish at the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup.

Rondon had 20 points and Cabral added 18 in the 25-19, 26-28, 25-18, 28-26 victory over the USA. Bethania de la Cruz had 16 and Annerys Vargas and Cosiris Rodriguez contributed 11 and 9 points respectively.  More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Cuba will meet Brazil in the gold medal match of the Women’s Pan American Cup after defeating Dominican Republic in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.

It was a seesaw battle for the first two sets but Cuba completely overwhelmed in the third with powerful serves and well executed blocks despite a late reaction by the losers.

 More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Brazil rolled past USA in straight sets and advanced to the championship match of the Sixth Annual Women’s Pan American Cup.

The young Brazilians displayed a tight defense combined with thunderous spikes in winning 25-15, 25-15, 25-18. They will meet in the gold medal match against the winner of Cuba and Dominican Republic in the other semi final.  More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Puerto Rico climbed back to win a five-setter and qualified in the fifth position of the Pan American Women’s Cup with a victory against Argentina.

After losing the first two sets, the Puerto Ricans recovered and defeated a tired Argentinean side 21-25, 15-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-10.

Eva Cruz and Karina Ocasio paced Puerto Rico with 17 and 15 points respectively and Sheila Ocasio and Aury Cruz had 12 and 10. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Peru won the match for the seventh position of the Women’s Pan American Cup in defeating Costa Rica in straight sets (25-14, 25-17, 25-22.”

Jessenia Uceda and Patricia Soto led Peru with 11 and 10 points respectively and Leyla Chihuán and Yulissa Samudio had 9 and 8 points. Karen Cope had 14 points for Costa Rica and Paola Ramirez scored 9.

“The team is improving and we need to keep working hard in order to get a good result at the Pan American Games,” More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

Governor of Colima offered a dinner to volleyball authorities

Betina Schmidt is the prettiest face of the Pan Am Cup

COLIMA, Mexico,- Blondie Betina Schmidt was elected the prettiest face among all participants in the Sixth Annual Women’s Pan American Cup in a poll conducted by “Ecos de la Costa” a local daily newspaper.

Schmidt, who sports blue eyes and a pony-tail, is the 18 years-old setter of the Brazilian young team.

Americans Cynthia Barboza and Candace Lee finished second and third respectively, in the off court competition. More Spanish

COLIMA, Mexico, June 27, 2007.- Brazil made it to the Final Four round of the Women’s Pan American Cup with a triumph over Argentina in consecutive sets by scores of 25-11, 25-18, 25-19.

The victory qualified the Brazilians to the next year FIVB World Grand Prix. They will meet USA in the semi finals of Thursday.

Natalia Pereira, Ingrid Felix and Camila Monteiro led Brazil with 14, 13 and 11 points respectively and Silvana Papini added 9. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 27,2007.-Spectacular Bethania de la Cruz scored 26 points and Cindy Rondon had 9 blocks sending the Dominican Republic to a five-set victory over Puerto Rico in the Sixth Annual Pan American Cup. The score was 25-17, 22-25, 25-27, 25-17, 15-7.

The victory qualified Dominican Republic to the semi finals against Cuba and also to the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

The Dominicans built a high wall in the last two sets and repeatedly blocked the Puerto Rico killing attempts. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 27, 2007.- Canada defeated Mexico in four sets  (25-12, 25-23, 24-26, 25-22) and qualified in the ninth position of the Sixth Women’s Pan American Cup.

Canadians Stacey Gordon and Tasha Holness shared the scoring lead with 16 points apiece and Emely Cordonier and Tiffany Dodds had 12 and 11 respectively.

Mexican Martha Revuelta was the best scorer of the match with 18 points. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 27, 2007.- Uruguay won the match for the eleventh position of the Women’s Pan American Cup by defeating Trinidad & Tobago in straight sets 25-20, 25.14, 25-18.

Florencia Aguirre led three players of Uruguay in double-figures with 12 points. Lucia Guigou and Eugenia Nieto each had 10. Reeza Gramt and Shula Hamilton scored 8 points apiece for Trinidad & Tobago.“After a slow start due to some kind of pressure, we started to serve better and that was the key for us,” said Rafael Codina, the Uruguayan coach. “Trinidad & Tobago has good talented players with good future.” More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 25, 2007.- USA joined Cuba as the first two teams with tickets to the FIVB 2008 World Grand Prix by defeating Mexico 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-11) and winning Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Americans are in the semi final round and will return to action on Thursday against Brazil or Argentina. Cuba will meet the winner between Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in quarterfinals.

The winners used their size advantage to dominate the game at the net and also located well their variety of spikes. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 25, 2007.- Cuba became the first team to earn a ticket to the FIVB 2008 World Grand Prix by defeating Brazil 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-18) and winning Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

As Pool winners, the Cubans advanced to the semi final round of the event and are secured to finish as one of the top three teams from NORCECA Confederation in this annual intercontinental competition. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 25, 2007.- The Dominican Republic relied on its powerful serves and attacks to defeat Argentina 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-20) finishing with a 4-1 record in Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Argentineans battled hard in the third set and the score was close until the teams tied at 19-all when the Dominicans fired with power.

Dominican Milagros Cabral was the best scorer of the match with 15 points and Cindy Rondon and Bethania de la Cruz each added 11. Rondon was sharp with 9 kills in 12 attempts. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 25, 2007.- The consistent blocking of Puerto Rico played a key role in the victory over Canada 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-18) in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

With the spiking attempts of Canada crashing against their solid wall, the Puerto Ricans prevailed in the first and built a cushion lead in the second to pave the way to the triumph. Puerto Rico finished the preliminary round with 4-1 mark and Canada was just the opposite. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 25, 2007.- Costa Rica (2-3) finished its play in the preliminary round in Pool A with a victory over Trinidad & Tobago (0-5) in straight sets by scores of 25-10, 26-24, 25-18.

The Trinidadians were denied a win in the second set when equalled at 24-all Costa Ricans Paola Ramirez and Onicka Pinock spiked and served to prevail.

Ramirez led Costa Rica with 9 points and Karen Cope and Angela Willis each had 7. Darlene Ramdin led Trinidad & Tobago with 10.

“In the first set we served pretty well but in the second some kind we lost the focus,” said Verania Willis. “It was the same in the third set but thanks to the Lord we recovered on time.” More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 25, 2007.- Peru got its second win in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup by rolling past Uruguay 25-14, 25-18, 25-13 in a match between South Americans.

The Peruvians overmatched their opponents 13-1 in the blocking category and the comfortable margin during the whole contest allowed Coach Enio Figueiredo to use his reserve players.

Patricia Soto led Peru with 9 points and Jessenia Uceda, Yulissa Samudio and Leyla Chihuan each contributed 7 tallies. Florencia Aguirre topped Uruguay with 14. More Spanish  P-2 form   Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 24, 2007.- Dominican Republic handed Mexico its third consecutive loss by defeating the host team of the Pan American Women’s Cup in straight sets 25-10, 25-16, 25-13.

The Dominicans used all their weapons with big bombs and pulverized the hopes of the Mexican side since the early beginning. Bethania de la Cruz paced the Dominicans with 18 points and Annerys Vargas added 13 while Milagros Cabral and Cindy Rondon had 9 apiece. More Spanish  P-2 form   Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 24, 2007.- Cuba shook off from a slow start and defeated Peru 3-0 (25-23, 25-12, 25-20) in Pool B action of the Pan American Women’s Cup.

The Cubans built a high wall late in the first set and stopped the Peruvian attack almost completely. They finished with 14 blocks compared with just 2 by the losers. Veteran Yumilka Ruiz and Rosir Calderon scored 14 apiece for Cuba and Nancy Carrillo added 12 including three blocks. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 24, 2007.- Argentina secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Pan American Cup with a straight sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-15) against Costa Rica in Pool A.

Karina Pacheco and Antonela Bortolozzi had 11 and 10 points for Argentina and no player from Costa Rica reached the double-figures in scoring. “We are very happy with this historic victory for Argentina in the Pan American Cup,” said Coach Carlos DiLonardo. More Spanish  P-2 form   Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 24, 2007.- The Brazil Junior Team lost a set but at the end it emerged as a 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19 winner against a resilient Canada, improving to 4-0 its record in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The U-20 Team who will represent Brazil at the World Championships next month in Thailand is basically the same group of players crowned as U-18 champions two years ago in Macau, China. Natalia Pereira paced Brazil with 21 points and Silvana Papini added 11. More Spanish  P-2 form   Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 24, 2007.- USA maintained its perfect record in four outings in Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup rolling past Trinidad & Tobago in consecutive sets 25-8, 25-9, 25-5 on Sunday morning.

The Americans, who much needed a break after playing five intense sets the day before, used devastating kills that were too much for the young and inexperienced Trinidadians. More Spanish  P-2 form   Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 24, 2007.- Puerto Rico used all its players during an easy victory in three sets  (25-17, 25-19, 25-16) over Uruguay in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup on Sunday.

Vanessa Velez and Eva Cruz with 11 and 9 points led the scoring for the winners while Florencia Aguirre with 9 tallies was tops for Uruguay. Velez and Cruz included 4 and 3 blocks respectively. More Spanish  P-2 form   Photos Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 23, 2007.- The more consistent blocking was the key in the five-set victory of Costa Rica over Mexico in the last match of Saturday in the Women’s Pan American Cup. The score was 25-15, 15-25, 22-25, 26-24, 16-14.

The Costa Ricans outscored their opponents 19-4 in that category with Angela Willis (7) and Paola Ramirez (4) leading the way. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 23, 2007.- Puerto Rico continued playing outstanding volleyball and dispatched Peru in straight sets 25-20, 25-16, 25-21 improving its record to 2-1 in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The strong blocking was the key for the Puerto Ricans in their victory over the Peruvians in 68 minutes.

The siblings Aury and Eva Cruz paced the scoring with 15 and 12 points respectively while Karina Ocasio added 8 including four blocks. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 23, 2007.- USA recovered from a 9-11 deficit in the fifth set and defeated Dominican Republic 25-20, 18-25, 26-24, 18-25, 15-13 in two hours of exciting action in Pool A of the Pan American Cup.

Katherine Wilkins led the Americans with 22 points and Cassandra Busse and Jennifer Joines added 14 and 10 respectively. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 23, 2007.- Cuba recovered from the five-sets defeat to Puerto Rico the night before and dominated Canada in straight sets 25-14, 25-16, 25-18 in a match of Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup on Saturday.

The athletic Cubans executed well in serving and blocking limiting the Canadian offensive chances.

Cuban Nancy Carrillo had 14 points, including six blocks, Zoila Barros had 10 and Yumilka Ruiz added 9. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 23, 2007.- Argentina got its second win in less than 16 hours by defeating Trinidad & Tobago 25-10, 25-11, 25-12 in just 58 minutes. They had beat Mexico in the last match of Friday night.

The Argentineans only need one victory on Sunday against Costa Rica to secure a third place in Pool A and also a ticket to the next round. The Trinidadians fell to 0-3.

Vanina Domke and Leticia Boscacci paced Argentina with 11 points apiece and Yamila Nizetich had 9. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 23, 2007.- Brazil improved its record to 3-0 in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup with an easy victory over Uruguay in straight sets 25-13, 25-16, 25-14.

Playing mostly with reserve players, the young Brazilians showed the same good composure as in previous matches and they still have to lose a set in the competition. More Spanish  P-2 form

Argentina beat Mexico in three sets

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Argentina handed Mexico a painful loss scoring a 25-20, 25-22, 25-14 victory in the last match of Friday, the second day of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Argentineans had to come from behind in the first two sets but rolled past the host Mexicans in the third with great blocking.

Antonella Bortolozzo paved the way for Argentina with 18 points and Martha Revuelta scored 12 for Mexico. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Puerto Rico scored a major upset by defeating Cuba in five sets –the first Puerto Rican victory over the Cubans in women’s volleyball in past 45 years.

A spike by Karina Ocasio in the tie-breaker sealed the first triumph of Puerto Rico over Cuba since the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games in Kingston, Jamaica. The score was 20-25, 25-15, 17-25, 25-20, 15-13.

 More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- In a one-sided match the Dominican Republic scored its second victory in Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup by crushing Trinidad & Tobago 25-7, 25-9, 25-10.

Dominican Bethania de la Cruz was positive in 7 of 9 attacks and served 4 aces in route to 14 points and Sidarka Nunez chipped in 10 points. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Brazil established its talent and overall ability to defeat Peru 25-18, 25-23, 25-16 in a battle of South American teams in Pool B.

Once again, the young Brazilian squad of teenagers executed near to perfection in all the elements of the game and left no doubts about which was the best team on the court. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- The high blocking carried USA to a 25-14, 25-15, 25-13 victory over Costa Rica in the second day of Pool A action at the Sixth Women’s Pan American Cup.

It was the second triumph in as many days for the Americans who won in four sets against Argentina on Thursday. Costa Rica is 0-2.

Cynthia Barboza led a balanced USA offense with 11 points, Tracy Stalls and Jennifer Joines each had 8 and Cassandra Busse and Catherine Wilkins contributed 7 apiece. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Canada came back strong after a five-set loss the night before and downed Uruguay in straight sets 25-16, 25-17, 25-13 with consistent blocking and accurate serves.

Emely Cordonier led the attack with 10 points and was helped by Tara Smart and Shelley Chambers with 8 points apiece. The siblings Victoria and Florencia Aguirre topped Uruguay with 10 and 8 respectively.

“We were able to put things together and played more steady and consistent,” said Naoki Miyashita, the coach of Canada. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Mexico finished the weak Trinidad & Tobago in straight sets (25-10, 25-19, 25-8) in the final match of the first day of action of the Women’s Pan American Cup. The Mexicans were too strong for the Trinidadians who for the first time are participating in the twelve-team event. “We need to win tomorrow against Argentina to make the second round and attain our goal,” said Mexican Migdalel Ruiz.

“We played better in the second set but we are still a long way to go,” said Francisco Cruz, the coach of Trinidad & Tobago. “But always there is a first time, a start.” More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Brazil erased a three-point deficit late in the first set and went on to defeat Puerto Rico 35-33, 25-23, 25-19.

The talented Brazilians, using the Pan American Cup as preparation for the U-20 World Championship in Thailand next month, left no doubts about their great potential spiking, serving, blocking and even kicking the ball as a reminder of their soccer tradition.

Natalia Pereira topped Brazil with 23 points and Silvana Papini added 17. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Cynthia Barboza led four Americans in double figures and USA defeated Argentina 17-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 in a match of Pool A of the Pan American Cup.

Barboza totalled 16 points and Tracy Stalls and Katherine Wilkins each added 14 tallies for the triumph while Cassandra Busse contributed 11. Yamila Nizetich led Argentina with a dozen points and Antonela Bortolozzi and Leticia Boscacci scored 11 and 10 points respectively. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Peru prevailed in a fiery battle of five sets against Canada in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The solid floor defense by the Peruvians proved to be better than the strong blocking of Canada in the match that finished 25-21, 21-25, 31-29, 16-25, 16-14 in favour of the South American side.

Jessenia Uceda led Peru with 22 points, Leyla Chihuan and Luren Baylon each produced 15 points and Sara Joya added 10. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- For the first two sets, Dominican Republic had a tough battle against Costa Rica but at the end scored a 25-21, 25-22, 25-10 victory in the first match of Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Dominicans had to deal with an ankle injury of setter Rosalyn Angeles late in the first set but she was able to come back to start the third.

Costa Rica gave away many points with missing serves while the Dominicans won the key points overcoming their coordination problems with the spikes and serves of substitute Sidarka Nunez spikes since late in the second set. More Spanish  P-2 form

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Cuba easily won the first match of the Sixth Women’s Pan American Cup by defeating Uruguay in straight sets (25-13, 25-11, 25-14).

The three-time cup champions and favourites of Pool B, relied on their serves and potent spikes led by Nancy Carrillo with 16 points, including four aces.

Cubans Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderon and Yanelis Santos each had 8 points.

“We served and located very well and used the match as preparation for the upcoming games,” said Antonio Perdomo, the Cuban coach. More Spanish  P-2 form

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, June 19, 2007.- Cassia “Shanna” Ferreira has been appointed captain of  the T&T women’s team which will debut at the Sixth Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup to be played in Colima City, Mexico from June 19 to 30.

The 12-member national women’s team was selected by Cuban-born coach Francisco “Panchy” Cruz yesterday and includes experienced players Karen Moses, More Spanish