Cuba with three women's teams to semifinals

Varadero, Cuba, June 9, 2012 - Hosts Cuba went beyond the expectations by qualifying their three women pairs along with Costa Rica to the semifinals of the sixth stop of NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit to be held at this international resort on Sunday.

The top two home pairs, Ion Canet/Niriam Sinal and Kirenia Ballard/Onayamis Sinal will square off starting at 11:30 (local time), both well-known partners in this event.

Meanwhile, in the nearby court surrounding the attractive stage located in front of the Hotel Club Kawama, Costa Ricans Ingrid Morales-Natalia Alfaro (CRC-1) will be looking for revenge against the surprising duo of this phase, Leila Flores-Lianma Martinez (CUB-3).

"We are aware of the experience of these players, we respect them, but we are mentally prepared to fight again from the start be victorious again," both Leila and Lianma agreed.

Only the pairs 1 and 2 of Cuba maintained their unbeaten status today to score four consecutive victories by winning their respective groups (B and C) and complete victorious the quarterfinals.

Both Cubans and Costa Ricans are prepared to participate in their best shape to the Finals of the Continental Cup in Mazatlan, Mexico on June 21-23 where one Olympic spot is available for the first time to the Confederations.

Positions: Pool A: Canada 1 (2-0), Cayman Islands (1-1), Jamaica (0-2). Pool B: Cuba-1 (3-0), Cuba-3 (2-1), Costa Rica-1 (1-2), Canada-2 (0-3). Pool C: Cuba-2 (3-0), Nicaragua (2-1), Dominican Republic (1-2), Costa Rica-2 (0-3).

Women’s results on Saturday: Pool A: CAN-1 d CAY (21-18, 21-16). Pool B: CUB-1 d CRC-1 (21-16, 15-21, 15-13), CUB-3 d CAN-2 (21-19, 21-18). Pool C: NCA d DOM (21-16, 15-21, 15-13), CUB-2 d CRC-2 (21-10, 21-15). Quarterfinals: CUB-1 d DOM (21-8, 21-10), CRC-1 d CAN-1 (22-20, 14-21, 15-10). CUB-2 d CAY (21-19, 21-14), CUB-3 d NCA (21-9, 21-15).