Argentina closed the group phase with a win

PONCE, PUERTO RICO, August 9, 2023.- Argentina finished their participation in the group phase with a 2-2 record by defeating Chile, 3-0, on the fourth day of the XX Senior Women's Volleyball Pan American Cup at the Juan “Pachín” Vicéns Auditorium in Ponce.

The winning scores for Las Panteras were: 25-16, 25-19, 25-18.

Argentina topped Chile with 45 attacking points against 36, and 8 to one in blocks. Both teams scored two points from direct serves. Argentina scored 20 points on Chile's unforced errors and conceded 14.

For Argentina, Bianca Cugno contributed with 14 points (11 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace); Paula Nizetich with 13 points (12 attacks, 1 ace); Daniela Bulaich 10 (9 attacks, 1 block). The Chilean captain, Beatriz Novoa, was the best scorer with 13 points, all in attacks; Karen Morales with nine points (8 attacks, 1 ace); and Florencia Giglio with eight, all in attacks.

Chile ends the preliminary round tomorrow against Mexico at 4:00 p.m.

Daniel Jorge Castellani, Coach of Argentina: “It was important to win from three points, but besides that, we played well. I think it was the most regular game we had where we had almost no bumps. It was a positive (preliminary) round. It is a new process because I have been with the team for three months, we work a lot, we have trained; and now you have to compete. We need this to confirm and continue working.”

Paula Nizetich, Player of Argentina: “We knew it was an important match for us to continue with the qualifying plans, and we entered with that strong mentality from the beginning. We know what we have to do and luckily it came out. Argentina is a battle-hardened team that likes that type of game, and it turned out well. I am content and happy. It was a round of ups and downs, it's a young team and it's the first time we've started playing with the new coach. Now we have to continue."

Alejandro Marín Hormazabal, Coach of Chile: “Today we are playing with a team that is coming from the Olympic Games and with a good level. From what we proposed, we were very clear and concise about that, which was to serve very hard so that they couldn't play with their middles and we could play a little more comfortable in blocking. It was fulfilled at times, but we still need more experience, play more, and little by little we are going to achieve the level that we want. We are happy with the dedication that each player has”.