SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 27, 2008.- One historic ocassion was achieved during the NORCECA Women’s Junior Tournament which closes here today: Only women officiated the match between Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago.

As first referee officiated the Puerto Rican Aixa Sanfiorenzo who had Marry Blaloch, of United States as her assistant.

To confirm the female domination during the opening of the closing day,  More  Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 27, 2008.- Brenda Castillo, the libero of the Dominican Republic, was elected as the Most Valuable Player of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Tournament which concluded on Sunday.

Brenda, the smaller player among the six members of the All-Star, took plaques as the most effective among the libero players, and also as the best receiver and digger. More  Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 27, 2008.- Cuba and Puerto Rico were involved in one exciting match with the victory going to the former 3-2 and also the bronze medal in the NORCECA Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

The game concluded 25-20, 27-25, 23-25, 20-25, 16-14, a repetition of the history of the preliminary round where the Cubans also won, but coming from behind after losing the first two legs.

Supported by a divided crowd which cheered for both teams, Puerto Ricans and Cubans embraced in a battle where once again prevailed the effective blocking and the power in attack of the eventual winners, but not without going through big difficulties before attaining the success.

The best scorers for Cuba were Yoana Mendoza (16), Dayessi Massó (15) and Wilma Salas (14).  More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 27, 2008.- In a match that for moments seemed favourable to Mexico, the team of Canada reacted and took the win to finish in the fifth position at the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Tournament.

The Mexicans came out determined to dedicate another victory to their fans who supported them each day of the tournament at the Nazario Ortiz Gym, and after winning 25-18, 25-21, and nearly closing out the third, the Canadians mounted a rebellion and took the next sets 34-32, 25-21, 15-12.

The last three sets demanded an extra from everyone and clearly exhausted they fought without respite, but the physical preparation of the Canadians came out evident and also the benefit of their height. More Spanish

Saltillo, Coahuila (26 jul).- La selección estadounidense fue la primera en clasificar para el Mundial´09 al derrotar hoy a Cuba 3-1 en la ronda semifinal del torneo NORCECA juvenil (f) de voleibol.

El equipo caribeño, con mayor favoritismo dada su condición de invicto por su dominio en el grupo B, subestimó el poder de reacción de sus rivales, vencedoras 23-25, 25-17, 25-21 y 25-19.

Las cubanas no jugaron con la concentración que requería este choque por lo que definía y por cuarta vez perdieron la posibilidad de ganar boleto al campeonato del orbe.  Spanish

Saltillo, Coahuila (26 jul).- El equipo de Canadá superó al de Trinidad y Tobago y discutirá el quinto puesto del torneo continental NORCECA juvenil (f) de voleibol, clasificatorio para el Mundial 2009.

Las caribeñas intentaron hacerles resistencia a las norteñas, pero la superioridad física y técnico-táctica de sus rivales bastó para que el partido concluyera con parciales de 25-16, 25-13 y 25-11.

La mejor anotadora por las canadienses fue Shanice Marcelle (10) y por las trinitarias la adolescente de 14 años de edad, Sinead Jack (6) en un choque que solo se extendió a 53 minutos de accionar. Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 25, 2008.- United States defeated Mexico 3-0 and moved to the semi final round where they will meet Cuba in the next to the last day of action in the NORCECA Junior Volleyball Tournament.

The superiority of the Americans was evident since the early moments of the match, where they showed consistency on defense and a good counter attack in route to the victory by score of 25-18, 25-17, 25-21.

Backed by a noisy crowd that packed the Nazario Ortiz Gym, the host team tried with their serves to break the reception and to weaken the American attack,  More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 25, 2008.- Puerto Rico defeated Canada in straight sets and will face the Dominicans in the semi final round tomorrow of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Tournament.

The Puerto Ricans, second in Pool B, went out with big offense, knowing that in the other side they had the best blocking team, and with their good technical-tactical game, led all the way.

Always looking to cause damage with their violent serves, category they are leading, the Puerto Ricans defended well and once again showed the counter attack as one of their lethal weapon to take the Canadians out of their path.

Outside hitter Stephanie Enright was the best scorer with 14 points, 10 in attacks, and her countrywomen the opposite Lorraine Aviles had 10. More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 24, 2008.- Mexico defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3-0, the triumph they needed as a gift to their supporting fans during the NORCECA Women’s Junior Tournament.

The Mexicans, who won 25-14, 25-11, 25-13 forced the definitions of the sets, one way of maintainin a good rhythm while Racing tomorrow the strong team of United States.

Although they are already qualified to the 2009 World Championship in Tijuana as hosting country, they don’t stop making the effort and giving their best in preparation for the competition at their own soil.

None totalled double figures, and local Karla Sainz was the top contributor with 9 points, followed by Andrea Rangel with 7. More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 24, 2008.- United States defeated Canada 3-1 (25-22, 25-13, 18-25 y 25-21) and secured the second place in Pool A of the NORCECA  Women’s Junior Tournament.

It was a match of ups and downs where the Americans took better advantage, with Darcy Dorton as their best scorer with 18 points, 16 via attacks.

Others who standed out were Michelle Bartsch (12) and Hayley Spelman (10).

For Canada leadind the scoring were Caroline Jarmoc and Sofie Schalagintweit with 11 apiece, while Tabitha Love and Celeste Bonter each added 10 points. More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 24, 2008.- In a disputed match match worth of a final, Cuba edged Puerto Rico 3-2 (23-25, 27-29, 25-14, 25-16, 15-10) securing the first place of Pool B in the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Tournament.

The Puerto Ricans deserved the triumph in the first two sets, due to a better composure on the court with good defense and strong attack, essential to deceive the high blocking of Cuba.

Their opponents, meanwhile, underestimated the good ball control of the Puerto Ricans and their good strategy, that for moments dismantled the Cubans in the middle of the battle, although at the end Cuba took match, taking out the thorn of the losses suffered in the three previous U-20 NORCECA.More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 24, 2008.- The National Team of Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica in consecutive sets, closing the preliminary and advancing to the semi finals of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Volleyball Tournament.

In just 58 minutes, the shortest match of the event, the Dominicans secured their third straight win by score of 25-9, 25-20, 25-14. They dominated Pool A with nine sets won and Orly two lost (276-206 in points ratio). The best scorers of the tournament were the Caribbeans Jeoselyna Rodríguez (13), More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 23, 2008.- The Cuban team had to accelerate to expose its good blocking and attack to edge Mexico in four sets (15-25, 25-11, 25-22, 25-15) to keep its unbeaten record in Pool B.

Supported by almost two thousand fans at the Nazario Ortiz Gymnasium, the Mexicans showed their improvement and surprised the Caribbeans with a strong showing that enthusiasmed the stands, but finally the Cubans established their rhythm.

The best scorers were Wilma Salas (15), Yoana Palacio and Gysell de la C. Silva, both with 12, and for the host team Carolina Carranza (10).

Joel Olazabal, coach of Cuba: More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 23, 2008.- Puerto Rico got its second victory beating Trinidad & Tobago in consecutive sets (25-11, 25-13 y 25-15) in action of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Tournament.

Leading the Puerto Rican offense was Janeliss Torres with 14 points and captain Stephanie Enright added 11, while for the Trinidadians no one scored more tha 5 tallies. More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 23, 2008.- The Dominican National Team virtually secured the first place of Pool A by defeating Canada, one of the favorites 3-1 in the second day of action of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Tournament, a qualifier to the 2009 World Championship.

Following a tough battle in the opening, won by the North Americans 29-27, the Dominicans recovered and were the owners of the scenario with good defense and accurate shots from the corners winning the next three 25-16, 25-15, 25-17.

In the third set they took a 9-2 lead, and increased to 15-5, and while the Canadians tried to stop the consistent offense of their opponents, the Dominicans never stopped lead by Jeoselyna Rodríguez (14) and Yenifer Calcano and Lisvel Eve, who each contributed 13 points.More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 23, 2008.- United States got a confortable victory over Costa Rica in straight sets 25-12, 25-14, 25-11 starting the second day of the preliminary round of Norceca Women’s Junior Tournament.

Without difficulties the Americans established their better level for their first success after losing to the Dominicans in matches of Pool A.

The best scorer of the match was Hayley Spelman who scored 15 points, 9 in attack and 6 defending at the net, while her teammate Shadare McNeal added 11. For the little Costa Ricans, Angie Arias was the best of their squad with 10.

Paula Weishoff, coach of USA: “The team went out to executed the plan we had, we worked well nulifying their serve and in general the game os the Costa Ricans, who are small but have very good control of the ball and can attain good improvement.” More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- In a match close enough, Puerto Rico had the best part and defeater Mexico 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-20 y 25-21).

Although Mexico has a ticket to the World Championship as host team next year, they made a great effort all the way looking for the victory.

Luis Garcia, coach of Puerto Rico: “Both teams played great, Mexico has elevated its level in this category, I think it is the best team I have seen in almost 16 years that I have been in volleyball, they have respect, played hard all the time, and I think they have a team with projection to the World Championship.”

Samuel Cibrian, coach of México: “It was a well played match, above all the first, a good showing of ball control from Puerto Rico, which know how to solve situations, but we also had good moments,  More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- Dominican Republic downed United States 3-1, one of the most favored teams to win the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Volleyball Tournament.

Since they entered the court in the Nazario Ortiz Gym, the Dominicans did not seem impressed before their rivals beating them in four sets, that finished 25-23, 24-26, 25-20 y 25-17.

Led by the vigorous offense of Elisa Eve Mejías, who scored 24 points, the pupils of Cuban coach Enrique Larrazaleta, gave no respite to the northerns avoiding a tie-break against “some kind of team” as said the tutor of the Caribbean girls.  More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- As expected the Cubans crushed the Trinidadians in the second match of the first day in the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Volleyball Tournament. Following an easy triumph 25-11, 25-12 y 25-7 the young “Morenas del Caribe” were confirmed as one of the favourites to win Pool B.

Far superior in all aspects resulted the game of the Cubans, who allowed more points to their rivals due to their own errors, evidence of their lack of custom of playing in foreign courts.  More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- Canada got the victory 3-2 in the opening of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Tournament, but Costa Rica was a tough cookie, only declining in the tie-breaker.

In the Nazario Ortiz gymnasium of this state capital, the “ticas” were very close to sending their country to the first victory against Canada in the volleyball history of the Central American nation.

Nevertheless the Mexican fans recognized with a big applause the effort of the smaller team in  the match that finished 25-15, 21-25, 22-25, 25-19 and 15-10.

In the match that lasted 1 hour and 44 minutes, the top scorers for the Canadians, much taller than their rivals, were the captain Sofie Schalagintweit (16),  More Spanish

SALTILLO, Coahuila, July 22, 2008.- The gratitude for all the hospitality received was the unanimous comment from the coaches of the eight teams competing in the U-20 NORCECA Women’s Continental Tournament, a qualifier to the 2009 World Championship.

Paula Weishoff, USA: “We have a very young team, I have three players with experience, but the rest will be debuting, we had two weeks of preparation and we are excited about the start.” More Spanish