Argentina gets smooth win over Puerto Rico

HAVANA, Cuba, March 30, 2017 – Argentina breezed past Puerto Rico to display even more their abilities to win 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-9) and claim first place in Pool A at VI Pan American U18 Girls’ Cup.

 With an opponent who did not put up fight, the South Americans made a significant difference with an attack led by the wing spiker Martina Delucchi (14) and, the opposite player, Candela Salinas (12).

 For the Caribbeans, only the opposite player Solimar Cestero had double figures (10) and as a result of this loss they will have to settle for the places from seventh to tenth jointly with Guatemala, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

 Estanislao Vachino, Argentinean coach: “We are happy as the team fulfilled accurately what we planned. We served really well and we blocked and defended very much. We expected more from Puerto Rico, although we performed a very good playing.”

Sofia Meinardi, Argentinean wing spiker:” We were up all the time, being confident about our playing. We really prepared to receive more resistance from the Puerto Ricans. So everything worked out perfectly.”

Julio Meléndez, coach of Puerto Rico: “From the first set, the girls were not able to center on the game. I do not know if it was nervousness for being behind from the beginning of an important match. There was much pressure and the offensive never lived up to the expectations. Despite that, I should praise Argentineans’ work which was able to control our playing.”

Sofia Garcia, captain of Puerto Rico: “It was not our best performance. No one was centered on the game. Argentina is a great team at every aspect and additionally we made too many errors.”