Argentina to Defend Its Title Against the United States

LEÓN, Mexico, August 24, 2024.- Argentina will defend its title against the United States after defeating Colombia 3-1 (15-25, 28-26, 25-18, 25-23) in the semifinal of the Women's Senior Pan American Volleyball Cup on Saturday in León, Guanajuato.

Argentina will defend its title on Sunday at 6:00 pm (local time) against the United States. Argentina won the Women’s Pan American Cup for the first time in history last year in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Colombia will compete for the bronze medal against the Dominican Republic at 3:00 pm. In the group stage, the Dominican Republic defeated Colombia in five sets.

A 15-8 advantage in blocking points was crucial for Argentina's victory, along with a 6-2 lead in service points. Colombia finished with an advantage of 55-52 in kills and committed fewer errors, 20-27.

Argentina's opposite, Bianca Cugno, was the top scorer of the match with 21 points. Dalma Pérez contributed 14 points, Bianca Farriol 13, and Candelaria Herrera 12, with the trio combining for 12 blocking points.

Ana Karina Olaya led Colombia with 19 points, followed by Valerin Carabali with 15 points and Dayana Segovia with 10.

Colombia started strong, taking the first set comfortably 25-15, with Valerin Carabali and Melissa Rangel leading in offense. Argentina regained territory with an extended score in the second set, after losing two set points to Dayana Segovia, but the attacks by Bianca Cugno and the blocks by Dalma Pérez and Candelaria Herrera tied the match. In the third set, Argentina dominated with five blocks, three by Herrera and two by Cugno, and outperformed Colombia in attacks 15-10. Tied at 23 points in the fourth set, an attack error by Ana Karina gave Argentina the match point, which Pérez sealed with a block over Segovia.

Victoria Mayer, captain of Argentina: “It was a match worthy of a semifinal. As we've been doing throughout the tournament, we kept growing. There was a lot of rotation, and every player on the court and those who came off the bench gave everything they had. We bounced back from losing the first set with grit and team unity, which is key for us. Tomorrow will surely be a great match against the United States.”

Facundo Morando, coach of Argentina: “After losing the first set, we adjusted with blocking; we figured out how to block their opposite (Dayana Segovia) and neutralize Ana Karina, who has a very powerful attack, hitting very high and hard. Colombia did well, adjusting the rotation to target Vicky, but as always, and as it has been throughout the tournament, the team held strong and secured the victory.”