Coaches are optimistic for the U20 Cup

LIMA, Peru, May 12, 2019 - The action does not stop at the house of Peruvian volleyball that, after being the stage of the U21 Pan American Cup, from Monday 13 will receive the U20 Women's Pan American Cup - Herbalife Cup, the last qualifying event to the World Women's Volleyball Championship to be held next July in Mexico.

 Seven delegations will say present in this sporting event that reaches its fifth edition. The host, Peru, and Dominican Republic arrive with the secure classification, thanks to their current position in the Ranking of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), the direct dispute will be between: Chile, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras and Puerto Rico.

The coaches of the participating countries promise to battle, and take advantage of every minute of play, each set, each match to reach their goals and have a thermometer that will allow them to adjust their work plan for the coming months:

Chile, Eduardo Guillaume: With this group we are doing a long-term job. We bring a high and strong team but we do not set so short-term goals as to qualify for the World Championship, if the opportunity presents itself hopefully we will achieve it, but this is a team that will represent us in the XIX Pan American Games of 2023 to be held in Santiago, Chile.

Cuba, Tomás Fernández: We bring a young team, but with responsibility and full of emotion, which marks a new process that the Federation gave me after the bad work in the Central American Games. We are here with a clear objective, the quota to the World Championship because it is the intermediate competition that we need for the development of our athletes.

Guatemala, William Fernández: For this competition we have come with a team from U18, our main goal will be to gain experience for the U18 Pan American Cup to be held in Mexico. The contest will be close, but it will help us strengthen our serve and reinforce the team's unity.

Honduras, Caterine Leiva: We are very excited and nervous about what is coming, we know that the challenge in a Pan-American is great, with power equipment to which we will try to stand firm and make a good game, in order to improve our level for the Central American Under 20 and Under 23. 

Peru, Natalia Málaga: Half of the girls in this group are from U18, who will take this championship in preparation for the World Championship. The team has been working very well, doing a physical job and reinforcing the reception and serves. Knowing that we are already classified, what is coming is a big challenge, because we want to be back among the first ones and then continue climbing.

Puerto Rico, Juan Carlos Rodríguez: We bring a young team, which has been working for five months and that are preparing for their goal tournament which is the U18 Pan American Cup. We know that the race for the World Championship is very tight, but in the same way each game will serve as lesson.

Dominican Republic, Cristian Cruz: The core of the team that we bring comes from the championship with his club in the Superior League of Santo Domingo, it comes with a lot of experience and games; That helps us a lot, we will continue working towards the World Championship and to improve the position of the last edition, we will try to reach the Top 5.