Cuba defeats Chile to earn semifinal berth

HAVANA, Cuba, March 31, 2017 – Cuba defeated Chile in straight sets 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-14) to obtain the other pass to Saturday’s semifinal where they will meet Argentina in the closing match of the penultimate day of the IV Pan American U18 Girls’ Cup.

Chile’ s loss means that Colombia secures the available spot for South American to the World Championship, in Argentina, after having defeated Mexico and they will meet Dominican Republic in semifinals this Saturday.

In the last match of the quarterfinals, the host players did not give any chance to the Chileans in a match where Ivy May Villa and Ailama Cesé were the best scorers with 14 points apiece, followed by Yamisleydis Viltres (13) and Elisabeth Vicet (12). Beatriz Novoa scored 14 for the defeated team.

 Juan Carlos Cruz, Cuban coach: “We prepared well for this match and showed the girls know also to play through the middle and the corners, and work at the back. So from the third set, we started to think of next match against the Argentinean team where we expect our blocking to be as good as today.”

 Eduardo Guillaume, Chilean coach: “We could not get it against the Cuba’s strength and their high attack. We were not able to control neither the blocking nor the defense being dominated in all the playing aspects. The tournament has been difficult winning over Puerto Rico 3-2 and losing first against Argentina 1-3 and now Cuba who is one of the candidates. Nevertheless it is part of a learning process. Hopefully we might have events like this one.” 

Elizabeth Vicet, Cuban captain: “I have really been suffering from a dreadful tonsillitis. However it has not been an obstacle as I am responsible for scoring. I think Chile thought they were not capable and finally they gave up.” 

Maike Bartens, Chilean captain: “We planned a match which we could not build up. Moreover after the victory of Colombia over Mexico, we entered under pressure thinking we might lose the world ticket. Despite that, I must praise the Cubans’ good blocking and attack.”