Argentina to semis, seals ticket to Grand Prix 2014

LIMA, Peru, June 14, 2013 – Argentina pulled a 26-24, 25-22, 25-23 victory over Cuba to move into the semifinals of the Movistar Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup and along the way also captured a ticket to next year’s FIVB World Grand Prix on Friday at Eduardo Dibós Coliseum in Lima.

Lucia Fresco posted 24 points to lead the Argentinean offense while Emilce Sosa contributed 10.  Cubans Yoana Palacio, Rosanna Giel and Ana Cleger finished with 12, 11 and 10 points respectively.

Argentina outserved Cuba 7-3 and held a 9-8 slight advantage in the blocking stats.

“This is a spectacular moment and I am very proud about the girls for their performance and effort,” Argentina’s coach Guillermo Orduna said. “We have defeated Cuba for the first time and with a 3-0 that not only takes us to the semifinals but also to the Grand Prix.

“I feel like on cloud nine,” Argentina’s Captain Paula Nizetich said. “We came here with the objective of qualifying to the Grand Prix but never imagined it would be this way. I still think it is unbelievable to win 3-0 against Cuba. I think the key was our desire and effort and we really deserved the ticket to the semifinals.”

“We went out trying to win but couldn’t make it,” Cuba’s Coach Juan Carlos Gala said. “Argentina was superior on all the aspects. We still have the chance to qualify to the Grand Prix but have to wait. I am glad about the performance of my team, they are very young, and some are very good.”