Argentina Earns Second Straight-Set Victory in Asunción Junior Pan Am Games

Argentina Earns Second Straight-Set Victory

in Asunción Junior Pan Am Games

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, August 11, 2025. – Argentina defeated Paraguay 3-0 (25-16, 25-12, 25-21) to remain undefeated in the women’s volleyball tournament of the II Junior Pan American Games Asunción 2025, taking place at the Arena COP.

With a 2-0 record in Pool A, Argentina is one step away from securing a spot in the semifinals and will close the preliminary round on Wednesday against Costa Rica (1-1). Paraguay (0-2) will seek its first victory against Cuba (1-1).

In the closing moments of the first set, Argentina stopped a four-point run from Paraguay with key plays from Valentina Gartenbank, Josefina Ossvald, and Keila Llanos. Argentina dominated the second set comfortably, but in the third, the hosts jumped ahead 8-5 thanks to disciplined blocking from Tirsa Enríquez, solid defense, and the tactical serving of Sofía Paredes. Paraguay thrilled their home crowd by extending their lead to five points (15-10), capitalizing on changes in the Argentine lineup, but Argentina rallied to tie and secure the straight-set victory.

Although Paraguay committed fewer errors (16-22), Argentina held the advantage in all other skills: attacks (42-20), blocks (10-3), and serves (7-4).

Opposite hitter Paula Tomasa and outside hitter Keila Llanos led Argentina with 15 points each, with Llanos standing out from the service line with 7 aces. Gisela Otamendi added 10 points. For Paraguay, Sofía Paredes led with 8 points, followed by Mayra Pérez with 6.

Argentina’s middle blocker and captain, Josefina Ossvald, commented on the lineup changes:
“We have a deep team, everyone can play, and the team must work regardless of who is on the court. The last set was tough for us overall; it was hard to close it out, but we managed to come back and finish it.”

Paraguay’s setter and captain, Rebeca Ayala, spoke about the exciting ending: “We were missing a bit more height and a bit more fight on the court. I think we could have won that third set and extended the match. Things happen for a reason.”