2005 NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

September 8 - 16, 2005

Cuban Poey was the MVP at Norceca’s Men Continental

Winnipeg, Canada, September 15, 2005.- Cuban silver medallist  Raidel Poey was elected as the Most Valuable Player of the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships won by USA tonight. The All-Star Team of the competition was dominated by the Dominican Republic, a fourth place side, which sent three players to the honour squad. Dominican Elvis Contreras was the best scorer and fellow countrymen Jose Caceres was the best attacker and Amaury Martinez was the best defender and libero. USA gold medallists Ryan Miller and Donald Suxho were the best blocker and server respectively, Canadian Scott Koskie the best setter and Panamanian Domingo Avila, the best receiver. The final ranking of the tournament was as follows: 1.USA, 2. Cuba, 3. Canada, 4. Dominican Republic, 5. Puerto Rico, 6. Mexico, 7. Panama, 8. Barbados. Spanish

USA wins the gold and Cuba settles for silver

Winnipeg, Canada, September 15, 2005.- The USA Men's National Volleyball Team held off a stubborn Cuban squad, 3-1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-23, 25-22), to win its second-consecutive NORCECA Continental Championship at the MTS Centre Thursday night. It was the second victory for American volleyball over Cuba in less than a week. Last Sunday, the American women defeated the Cubans in five sets at the continental event held in Trinidad & Tobago. Clay Stanley scored a team-high 14 points to lead a balanced attack. Jim Polster scored 11 points while Ryan Millar and Tom Hoff added 10 points apiece in the win. Raidel Poey scored a match-high 19 points for Cuba and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. The Americans, who also won the last NORCECA Championship in 2003, have now earned back-to-back crowns for the first time in 20 years. In addition to bragging rights in the NORCECA zone for another two years, Team USA qualifies for the Grand Champions Cup in Japan on November 22-27, a six-team tournament that features the champions from four confederations (Africa, Europe, NORCECA and South America), the host team (Japan) and one wild-card team (chosen by the FIVB).Cuba, currently the world's 12th-ranked team, and the United States, number 5, are the traditional powers in the NORCECA zone, which encompasses North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Since the first men's NORCECA Championship in 1969 (the tournament is held every other year in odd-numbered years), Cuba has won 13 out of 19 times. The United States has won the remaining six championships (1973, 1983, 1985, 1999, 2003 and 2005) and has finished second eight times. Spanish

Canada wins Bronze over Dominican Republic

Winnipeg, Canada, September 15, 2005.- Canada avenged a five-set loss to Dominican Republic during the preliminary round, with a 3-0 victory (25-22, 25-19, 25-13) good for the bronze medal at the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships. Fred Winters was the best Canadian with 14 points and Jose Caceres led the Dominican attack with 12 points. Canada drew first blood but the Dominican kept it close down 7-8 at the first technical time out. Canada jumped ahead 13-10 to force a Dominican time out. The Dominican Republic would get one back but still trail 13-16 at the second technical time out. The Dominican’s would go on a 3 point run that would tie it up at 16-16 force a Canadian time out. Canada immediately responded with two points of their own taking an 18-16 lead. Canada maintained the 2 point gap to win set one 25-22. Canada took a quick 6-3 lead in set two forcing a Dominican time out. Hitting errors by Canada would give one back, but maintaining a 2 point gap up 8-6 at the first technical time out. Canada added two more to their lead to go up by four leading 16-12 at the second technical time out. The Dominican Republic would take runs at the Canadian lead but would never get close enough as Canada cruised on to a 25-19 second set victory. Canada took control of set three early leading 6-3 and forcing the Dominican’s to time out. Canada maintained the lead going into the first time out up 8-4. Canada continued to roll doubling up on the Dominican’s 12-6. It was clear by the second technical time out that Canada wanted this match leading 16-9. The Dominican Republic would never come back as Canada walked away with a 25-13. Spanish

Cuba prevails over Canada for shot at gold

Winnipeg, Canada, September 14, 2005.- Cuba defeated Canada in consecutive sets and will play against USA for the gold medal at the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships and also for the ticket to the Grand Champions Cup in Japan next November. Raidel Poey once again was the top Cuban force with 16 points in the victory by score of 25-20, 25-20, 25-22. The best scorer for Canada was Paul Duerden with 12 points. It is no surprise that this contest was going to be a close one. At the first technical time out Cuba was up by one 8-7. Cuba was the first to move away opening a 12-9 lead and remained on top 16-12 at the second technical time out. Canada would come with in two, but Cuba quickly came back forcing a Canadian time out up 20-16. That’s as close as Canada would get in the first set losing 20-25. Canada took a quick 2-0 lead in set two but it was quickly dissolved as Cuba tied it up at 4-4. Canada still held the advantage and led 8-7 at the first technical time out. At 11-11 Cuba made their move taking a 12-11 lead and held on to lead 16-15 at the second technical time out. Tough serves put Cuba up by four and ended by five. More...Spanish

USA dominates the Dominican Republic and goes for the gold

Winnipeg, Canada, September 14, 2005.- USA dominated Dominican Republic in straight sets (25-13, 25-17, 25-15) advancing to the gold medal match against Cuba at the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships. Riley Salmon with 11 points was the best American scorer while Elvis Contreras with 7 led the Dominicans who now will face Canada in the match for the bronze medal. The Dominican Republic has proven that they are here to play but the USA quickly showed that they were a force opening up an 8-3 lead at the first technical time out. The USA maintained the lead up 16-9 at the second technical time out. The USA continued to be the stronger team holding an 8-5 lead at the first technical time out and increasing it to 16-10 by the second. From there the USA dominated the Dominican Republic on their way to a 25-17 second set victory. Set three was much of the same as the USA led 8-4 at the first technical time out and 16-10 at the second. The USA widened the gap further to lead 22-14 forcing a Dominican time out but it was too late as the USA walked away with a 25-15 victory. Spanish

Puerto Rico earns fifth at 2005 NORCECA Championships

Winnipeg, Canada, September 14, 2005.- Puerto Rico defeated Mexico 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-19) and ended in the fifth place at the Norceca Men’s Championships. Mexico took a quick 2-0 lead and held on to a narrow 8-7 advantage at the first technical time out. With Mexico still leading 12-11 Puerto Rico scored two quick ones to gain the edge 13-12. Puerto Rico would add another to lead 16-14 at the second technical time out. Down 23-19 Mexico took a time out but it would be to late as Puerto Rico came right out to take set one 25-21. Mexico again jumped to a 3-1 lead but it was quickly swallowed up by Puerto Rico as they led 8-7 at the first technical time out. The lead would change 3 times with Puerto Rico still in front 16-15 at the second technical time out. They would add another to go up by two 19-17 and would hold the lead for the win 25-22. Puerto Rico was looking to end this match opening a 5-1 lead in the third forcing Mexico into a time out. The gap would remain the same with Puerto Rico up 8-4 at the first technical time out. Puerto Rico would add a couple more to lead 16-10 at the second time out and would never look back winning 25-19. Spanish

Panama finished in the seventh position

Winnipeg, Canada.September 13, 2005.- Panama finished in the seventh position at the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships with a victory over Barbados 25-18, 30-28, 25-21. Jose Cunningham was the best scorer for Panama with 15 points while Fabian Cox  of Barbados, led all the players with 18 points. Both teams came out swinging with Barbados holding an 8-7 edge at the first technical time out. Panama jumped into the action to turn the table opening a two point gap leading 13-11. Panama added one more to lead 16-13 at the second time out. Panama would hold that lead and go on to win set one 25-18. Set two Panama took a four point advantage up 16-12 at the second technical time out. Barbados would tie it up at 21-21 and the lead would exchange hands 4 times before Panama struck to jump ahead by two and take the set 30-28. Set three was deadlocked from the start with Panama hold an 8-7 lead at the first technical time out. Panama would increase that lead to three and hold it forcing a time out up 19-16. Barbados would not get any closer as they dropped the set 25-21.Spanish

Dominicans to face USA in semi finals

Winnipeg, Canada. September 13, 2005.-The Dominican Republic won its third consecutive match at the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships and moved to a semi final contest against USA after scoring a victory over Mexico 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 28-26,25-23). Elvis Contreras led the Dominican attack with 20 points and was joined by Jose Caceres (18), Felipe Henriquez (15) and Eury Almonte (14) as players with double digits. Mario Becerra and Juan Garcia each had 15 points for Mexico and Jorge Quinones and Luis Marquez added 13 and 11 respectively. The Dominican Republic was the clear favorite going into the match, however Mexico was not about to hand over the win. The Dominican Republic held a one point lead through both technical time outs up 8-7 and 16-15 before they were able to break away and go up 23-21. A couple of quick points and the Dominican Republic had locked up set one 25-22. Set two the Dominican Republic gave themselves a little breathing room leading 8-5 at the first technical time out, but again Mexico fought back to tie it at 10-10. From there it was Mexico who took control of the set opening a two point lead and held on to take set two 25-21. More..Spanish

Canada will meet Cuba in semi finals

Winnipeg, Canada. September 13, 2005.- Murray Grapentine and Fred Winters led Canada to a 3-0 triumph over Puerto Rico and one semi final berth against Cuba in the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships, a qualifier to the Grand Champions Cup in Japan next November. Grapentine scored 13 points and Winters added 12 in the easy victory by score of 25-15, 25-20, 25-14. Puerto Rico and Mexico will meet today in a match for the fifth place. It was do or die for the Canada if they were to remain in the hunt for the top of the podium. Puerto Rico always plays with great emotion and it was evident at the start of set one that both teams were on fire. Canada had the early edge taking a narrow 8-6 lead at the first technical time out. Canada would widen the gap going up 14-8 and leading 16-8 at the second technical time out. Canada continued to roll from their posting a lop-sided 25-15 victory. More..Spanish

Cuba won Pool A with perfect record

Winnipeg, Canada,  September 12, 2005.-  Cuba remained unbeaten (3-0) at the Norceca Men’s Continental  Championships with a triumph in consecutive sets over host Canada who suffered its second defeat. The score was 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 and with their triumph, Cuba qualified automatically for the semi finals of the competition as winner of Pool A. Canada finished third and will play against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals. Raidel Poey was the top Cuban scorer with 20 points while Paul Duerden was the best of the Canadians with 12 points. It was a packed house at the MTS centre with the anticipation that the home team was going to be victorious. It was Cuba drawing first blood going up by 2 to lead 3-1 and remain up 8-5 at the first technical time out. Canada responded to the challenge to tie it up at 8 and it was a side out war from that point on. At the second technical time out it was Cuba a head 16-15. They would add a few more on their way to a first set victory 25-22. More

Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals

Winnipeg, Canada, September 12, 2005.- Mexico was a winner over Barbados in three sets (25-17, 25-21, 25-18) and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships finishing in the third position of Pool B.  Now the Mexicans will face the Dominican Republic which finished second in Pool A. Barbados was eliminated and will play Panama for the seventh position. Juan Garcia was the top attacker of Mexico with 15 points and Fabian Cox was the best scorer for Barbados with 10 points. It was all Barbados early in this match as they took a lead in set one up 8-5 at the first technical time out. Barbados would add to their score going up by as much as 12-8. Mexico would mount an attack that would change the landscape of this set taking the lead 16-13 at the second technical time out. Barbados would not recover and Mexico went on to win the set 25-17. Set two was another tight affair with Barbados leading at the first technical time out 8-7. Mexico would again turn it up to lead by one at the second technical time out and add the difference to win the set 25-21.Set three it was Mexico who led 8-6 at the first technical time out. Mexico would double their lead to go up 13-9 and then further to 20-11 and the eventual win 25-18.

USA won Pool B with 3-0 mark

Winnipeg, Canada, September 12, 2005.- USA moved to the semi finals of the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships with an easy victory over Puerto Rico by score of 25-16, 25-16, 25-18. The Americans finished the preliminary round with 3-0 mark in Pool B while the Puerto Ricans ended in second place and won a berth for the quarterfinals against  Canada. Riley Salmon led the Americans with 13 points and also Phil Eatherton and Jim Polster finished in double digits with 11 and 10 respectively. The USA stormed out of the blocks to go up 6-0. Puerto Rico would get on the board but the USA still led 8-3 at the first technical time out. The USA continued to add to their tally going up 16-9 at the second technical time out. The USA did not let up in this first set cruising on to a 25-16 win. Some uncharacteristic errors on the part of the USA kept set two close with the Americans up 8-6 at the first technical time out. A few solid blocks after the time out and the USA found themselves back in command leading 13-8. From there it was all USA spreading the gap and cruising on to a 25-16 victory. Puerto Rico would keep with in two of the USA down 10-8; however a few solid plays by the USA would put them back up by 6 leading 16-10 at the second technical time out. The Americans closed the door from that point taking the set 25-18 and the match.

Dominican Republic enjoyed a much needed break

Winnipeg, Canada, September 12, 2005.- The Dominican Republic enjoyed a much needed break with a victory in straight sets over Panama after being stretched to the limit in its previous two matches. The Dominicans won by score of 25-13, 25-17, 25-9 and qualified in second place of Pool A. Now they will meet Mexico in the quarterfinals and Panama and Barbados will play for the seventh position. Eury Almonte led four Dominicans in double figures with 12 points followed by Jose Caceres and Elvis Contreras each with 11 and Victor Batista with 10. The Dominican Republic seemed to have a new found confidence after a close match with Cuba and their win over Canada last night. The Dominican’s jumped out to a commanding 8-2 lead at the first technical time out and continued to increase on that tally going up 16-7 at the second technical time out. Panama would not get any closer as they were defeated 13-25. Sets two and three were much of the same as the Dominican Republic took control winning 25-17, 25-9.

USA remains undefeated with win over Barbados

Winnipeg, Canada, September 11,- USA used all its power to crush Barbados in a match of the Norceca Men’s Continental  hampionships, a tournament where the winner will claim a ticket to the Grand Champions Cup. The Americans won the one-sided contest by score of 25-11, 25-12, 25-8. Not a surprise that the USA jumped out to lead the set 8-5 at the first technical time out. Although Barbados was lesser team in size and skill, they continued to fight. Despite the effort, the Americans were clearly too much winning the set 25-11. Set two and three where much of the same as the USA was flawless in their execution winning the next two 25-12, 25-8 to move to 2-0 in their pool.

Cuba dominates Panama to go to 2-0
Winnipeg, Canada, September 11,- Cuba dominated Panama in consecutive sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-10). It was all Cuba in the first set of this match up. After holding a narrow 8-6 lead at the first technical time out, Cuba began to unleash their power and went on to take the set 25-15. In the second set Cuba continued to lead the way posting an 8-5 lead at the first technical time out. Panama seemed deflated as Cuba continued to score at will leading 16-10 at the second technical time out. Cuba continued to dominate and won the match handily 25-15. Set three was much of the same with Cuba opening up an 8-4 lead at the first technical time out. Cuba extended the lead to 16-9 at the second time out and continued on from there to defeat Panama 25-10.

Canada stunned by Dominican Republic in 5 set loss.

Winnipeg, Canada, September 11,- Dominican Republic scored a major upset while edging Canada in a five-setter by score of 19-25, 19-25, 29-31, 26-24, 19-17 in Day Two of the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships. This was Canada’s first big test after the Dominican took Cuba to a fifth set on the opening day. Both teams seemed to feel each other out exchanging points and at the first technical time out it was the Dominican Republic up 8-7. Canada would go on run to go up 14-11 and hold the lead up 16-14 at the second technical time out. Canada continued to dominate on the attack and cruised on to take set one 25-19. In set two Canada experienced some difficulty right from the start and found them selves down 12-16. More

Puerto Rico defeats Mexico in 4 sets

Winnipeg, Canada, September 11,- Puerto Rico defeated Mexico in four sets in a match of two spirited and relatively evenly matched teams. The score was 27-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-23. In the first set Puerto Rico opened a narrow lead and held onto it up by two 16-14 at the second technical time out. Tied at 17-17, both teams exchanged kills but it was Puerto Rico who finally gained the advantage to win the set 27-25. Set two was much of the same as neither team was giving any ground. At the first technical time out Puerto Rico held a two point lead up 8-6. Puerto Rico capitalized on a number of Mexican errors to jump ahead 13-9 and remained in the lead at the second technical time out up 16-13. Mexico would reel Puerto Rico in to tie it at 22-22, but a couple big kills put them back up, which was just enough as they went on to take set two 26-24. Set three was all Mexico as they stormed out to an 8-2 lead, increasing it to 12-4 and 16-8 at ht second technical time out. Puerto Rico rallied back to get within 6 down 12-18, but Mexico was not giving up their lead and took the set 25-18. Set four Puerto Rico seemed to regain their composure and we were back to a battle at the net. Puerto Rico was in control up 8-7 at the first technical time out and held onto that advantage to lead 16-15 at the second. Puerto Rico would add a little space and go on to win the set 25-23.