Argentina defeated a fighting Cuban team 3-2

LIMA, Peru, September 8, 2018.- Argentina beat Cuba by 3-2 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 19-25, 15-10), to secure their undefeated pass to the final of the II Final Four U20 to be played on Sunday at the Manuel Bonilla Coliseum in Miraflores.

The Argentineans took the lead, and after two lost sets they recovered in an exciting fifth set thanks to the effectiveness of their service that complicated the rival reception and stopped the explosive attack of the main figures of Cuba.

Candela Salinas, Bianca Farriol and Melisa Corzo led the Argentine offense with 18, 17 and 14 points, respectively. As for Cuba, Evilania Martinez and Ivy Vila equalized with 15 points each, followed by Ailama Cese, Yamisleydis Viltres and Jessica Aguilera who scored 13 points each.

Argentina outscored Cuba in blocks (15-13) and in service (12-9), but trailed in attack (47-55). The Cubans committed 31 unforced errors while the winning team made 20.

The Argentinean captain, María Victoria Mayer: "Cuba is a team with a lot of attack and a good block, I think they did not take advantage of that anymore, for our part we were happy with the victory, the third and fourth sets cost us, but it was one of these long matches where we learn and the team knew how to give the maximum and react when necessary."

The coach of Cuba, Tomás Arteaga: "We are not learning how to close the matches, we made many unforced errors, Argentina knew how to follow their game plan, they had a very organized game with a very strong defensive system and they managed to force us into error with their services."