Coaches speak on the eve of the Women's U23 Pan American Cup

HERMOSILLO, Mexico, July 17, 2023.- The head coaches of the eight participating teams speak ahead of the U23 Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup that starts on Tuesday July 18 at the Sonora Arena in Hermosillo.

NORCECA teams are aiming for two berths to the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.

Matches will be streamed on Telemax Sonora on Facebook live and YouTube.

Martin Ambrosini, Head Coach of Argentina: “The team is good. We are bringing a young team, it’s a U-21 team that is preparing for the world championship in a month, so this comes great for our preparation.  The Pan American Cup gives a chance to play against teams that we normally don’t and with a great level of play, and that’s just what Argentina’s volleyball needs. We think it will be a good tournament”.

Carolyn O’Dwyer, Head Coach of Canada: “We’ve been fortunate to be able to train a group of us for the last few weeks, so we had a longer training block than normal. For several athletes this is their first international competition, which is very exciting. I think we have a really strong group to do our best, we are well prepared for sure”. 

Andres Carvajal, Head Coach of Costa Rica: “We are excited after becoming Central American champions for the fifth time in this age-group. We are using this competition to prepare for the Central American championship in November in El Salvador. Our intentions are to compete at our highest level according to this highly leveled competition”.

Wilfredo Robinson, Head Coach of Cuba: “The has the aspirations to win a berth to the Junior Pan American Games. We have worked hard; we have some players who are bringing experience after competing in other events”.

Wagner Pacheco, Head Coach of Dominican Republic: “This team is a mix of our youth and junior categories, this is because of several international competitions and visa arrangements to be here. The combination is good, we will do a good job and we will battle for a medal”. 

Marvin Ulloa, Head Coach of Honduras: “We weren’t sure to come, so the preparation was short. Three players who are abroad were able to make the team and we’re bringing four new ones who trained with the U-19 team that is competing at the Central American event in Belize, because we are working on renewing our senior team. This competition will help our preparation for the U-23 Central American championship in November”.

Head Coach of Mexico: “Exciting to start another competition here in Mexico. The team we’re bringing is the U21 that’s preparing for the upcoming world championship in Leon. Our expectations are high, we hope to be in the finals and win a berth to the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asuncion”.

Head Coach of Peru: “We expect a lot of learning. We come to these championships with a clear idea to work for the future and improve our players' performance who begin their international journey”.