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HAVANA, Cuba, June, 7, 2015 – Cuba defeated Dominican Republic
3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 25-13, 25-23) on the final day of the NORCECA
Women’s Final Four Cup as both teams secured the available
berths for the World Cup in Japan, the first Olympic qualifying
event.
With two triumphs in the tournament and a total 10 points, the
Dominicans qualified for the event in Japan after winning the
first set.
From then on, the Cubans increased their attacks aware of only
winning the three following sets they could clinch the remaining
ticket for a better point-ratio quotient than Puerto Rico, 3-0
winners of the first match over Canada.
Melissa Vargas was the top-scorer (20), followed by Alena Rojas
and Sulian Matienzo, 13 apiece. For the visiting team, Marianne
Fersola was the only one with a double-digit tally (10).
An excited Roberto García, local coach, expressed that “today we
only expected to win. My girls needed it, I think. They respect
the Dominicans for their results, but they battled for the
success and their qualification to the World Cup.”
Cuban captain, Sulian Matienzo, said: “We all knew our
performance was decisive and much more as the Puerto Ricans also
had hopes alive just depending on what we could do. So it was
only in our hands on the court and not anyone else’s. That’s why
we are extremely happy.”
Brasilian, Marcos Kwiek, Dominicans’ coach, admitted that “Cuba
played a good game. We came to qualify for Japan and we got it
despite having many injured players who had been complaining
since the first day and I could not take any risk with them.
After this berth, we have several commitments this year in a
very long season. Anyway it was a hard-fought match, except in
the third set where we had many problems.”
Dominican, Prisila Rivera, said: “Cuba offered unexpected
resistance. Obviously we were already qualified and we played
more relaxed. Nevertheless, the local team performed an awesome
game. They came from behind in a very short time. If they
continue playing together, it will be a difficult team not only
for us but also for any squad worldwide.” |
