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LA PAZ, Baja California, June 10, 2022.-
Argentina dominated Puerto Rico 3-0 (25-20,
25-12, 25-13) to move into the semifinals of the
Women’s U21 Pan American Cup being held at Arena
La Paz in Baja California Sur.
Argentina (3-1) will play against the host
Mexico in Saturday’s semifinals. Puerto Rico
(1-2) will face the loser of the other quarter
final match between Cuba and Chile.
The tournament qualifies the two top teams of
NORCECA to the 2023 FIVB World Championship.
Argentina won their quarter final pushed by
Puerto Rico only in the first set, then they
went forward with no complications grabbing
their semifinal spot.
The South Americans held a huge 42-19 advantage
in attacks and a comfortable 8-3 margin in both
blocks and aces. Puerto Rico committed fewer
errors (17-20) than Argentina.
Opposite hitter Valentina Vaulet and middle
blocker Avril Garcia scored 12 points apiece as
Argentina’s leading scorers. Vaulet with 10
kills and two aces, and Garcia with 7 kills and
5 blocks. Outside hitter Milena Margaria added 9
points.
Outside hitter and team captain Valeria Flores
led Puerto Rico with 8 points on 7 kills and one
block, joined by outside hitter Grace Lopez with
6 points on 4 kills and 2 serves.
Victoria Caballero, Captain of Argentina:
“We are always focused on our game, every match
is intense and important. We were focused on our
serves, putting in the ball at the firs and we
played defensively as well”.
Valeria Flores, Capitana de Puerto Rico:
“We lacked communication and energy, added to
the fact that we are tired, but mostly we didn’t
execute. They (Argentina) had more energy than
us. Our expectation for our next performance is
to win”. |
