Coaches comment on their expectations in U23 Pan An Cup

LIMA, Peru, September 18, 2016 – The Third U23 Women’s Pan American Cup by Gatorade gets underway on Monday and the coaches of the six teams taking part in the event commented about the characteristics of their sides and the expectations they have in the tournament.

There are two available spots to next year’s FIVB U23 World Championship to be disputed among the four teams from Norceca Confederation –Dominican Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago- and a third ticket for the top South American side, either hosts Peru or Argentina.

The coaches made their comments during the preliminary enquiry of the teams conducted on Sunday before the general technical meeting held at Los Delfines Hotel in Lima.

Coaches Statements:

Guillermo Orduna, Argentina: “Our team includes some players who have been with our senior group in some moments in the past. They are working for their chance of making our senior team and they hope to capitalize the Pan American Cup to grow up and to qualify to the world championship of the age group.”

Braulio Godinez, Costa Rica: “We are bringing the team that won the Central American Championship one month ago but we have three missing players that are currently studying in USA and one of them is Tatiana Sayles who was the MVP at that tournament. We are taking the tournament as a build up for the future. We are going to compete against Trinidad & Tobago who has a level similar to ours. The other teams are of a higher level.”

Roberto Garcia, Cuba: “Our expectations are to be in the finals and battle for the gold medal despite of the young age of the team. This is a very young team with tall players. For us, this is the first competition in the new Olympic cycle.”

Wagner Pacheco, Dominican Republic: “This is a triumphant generation. This is the same group that won the last U20 world championship and won the bronze medal at the last U23 world championship. Our main goal is to qualify to the world championship next year and then to cap the year with another gold medal. This is a very important tournament for this Dominican generation.”

Mauro Marasciulo, Peru: “Our team is very well prepared for a long competition of seven matches and we need to work in calm waiting for the decisive moment to battle for the position to the world championship and a good final ranking. Argentina is a strong rival in the battle for the South American spot. We won a very close match against them one month ago. I hope we can rise to the occasion. The team is well prepared and in good shape.”

Nicholson Drakes, Trinidad & Tobago: “My team is a very new team, is a junior team training to compete at a higher level. I expect to do very well to get more level. I hope to have a very good competition and progress for the future.”