Argentina use service to control Cuba

LIMA, Peru, August 5, 2017 – Argentina claimed their second victory with a strong 3-0 (28-26, 25-14, 25-20) over Cuba to conclude the preliminary phase of the U18 Final Four Herbalife Cup with 10 points.

Cuban outside hitter had 13 points, followed by Captain Elizabeth Vicet with 11 points. For Argentina Sofia Meinardi, Bianca Farriol and Dominique Corsaro each had 8 points in the victory.

Etanislao Vachino, coach of Argentina: Today our strategy was to play with a good serve to break their reception because the battle at the net was going to be a tough one. In the first set they started very nervous but winning it was a psychological motivator to continue battling. Almost to the end, Cuba tried to retake their serve but the rotation favored us and I am very happy because more than reaching the final the objective was to keep improving for the world championship.

Sofia Minardi, outside hitter of Argentina: We expected a very tough match but we could handle it. The ten sets we player yesterday drained us but we put a good attitude and gave the best until the last minute.

Tomas Fernandez, coach of Cuba: I am grateful of Argentina for the intensity they showed. They stole the initiative in the serve and the attack. We attack, block and serve but we lost that today. We didn’t do what we train daily and that happens in the yung levels that give you a party one day and a calamity the next day. We were very inconsistent in our performance.

Ailama Cese, top scorer of Cuba: What we learned from this match is that we must reduce our errors and reinforce our strengths as the attack and block. Today we were out of focus and need to work to learn and keep our game rhythm.