Peru cruises past Costa Rica in straight sets

LIMA, Peru, September 19, 2016 – Hosts Peru swept Costa Rica 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-11) in the last match of day one at the U23 Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup taking place at Manuel Bonilla Coliseum of Lima.

Angela Leyva and Katherine Regalado led Peru with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Coraima Gomez added 11 while Maguilaura Frias and Alexandra Machado finished with 7 points each. Monica Castro had 6 points for Costa Rica.

Peru dominated the match from start to finish and held advantages in attacks (44-14), blocks (6-2) and service winners (6-1).

Mauro Marasciulo, coach of Peru: “I am happy because we were able to manage a quiet match and in competitions like this one where you have daily matches you need to define early to avoid the toll n your team. Tomorrow the girls will go out with the same attitude and focused to get the spot at the world championship.”

Ángela Leyva, captain of Peru: “We are very happy because we have advanced a lot in our work. We know that even though the opponent is not that strong we must enter to define the victory from the first set and today our effort and commitment paid its fruits. From now on is a matter of keep adding up.”

Braulio Godínez, coach Costa Rica: “I think here there are two levels, with teams like the Dominican and Cuba at Central American level that has bigger size and experience; our plan is to battle and finish as well as possible. Our direct rival is Trinidad & Tobago and we are confident to get the victory.”

Yuliana Gonzales, captain of Costa Rica: “We are coming from the Central American Games and the competition at the Pan American Cup always has been tough for us, but step by step we will be climbing the ladder and despite the absence of three players we will get better results.”