Colombia Advances to Gold Medal Match at Santo Domingo 2026

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, August 6, 2026. – Colombia advanced to the women’s volleyball gold medal match at the Central American and Caribbean Games for the second time in history after defeating Cuba 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23) in the semifinals of the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026.

Colombia’s only previous appearance in a Central American and Caribbean Games final came at Barranquilla 2018, when they earned the silver medal after falling to the Dominican Republic. Cuba, meanwhile, will play for the bronze medal and will look to claim its third bronze in Games history, following those won in 2014 and 2023. Both teams await their respective opponents.

Colombia took control of the match by winning the first two sets by identical 25-19 scores, relying on its blocking while limiting Cuba’s offense.

Cuba changed the course of the match in the third set. The Cubans increased their offensive pressure and controlled the set to win 25-17, cutting the deficit and sending the match to a fourth set that produced a dramatic finish.

Cuba carried that momentum into the fourth set and built a six-point lead at 22-16, putting itself in position to force a fifth set. Colombia, however, responded at the decisive moment. The Colombians applied pressure from the service line, strengthened their defense and tied the score at 22-22 before completing the comeback 25-23 to secure their return to the gold medal match.

Blocking proved decisive for Colombia, which held a 12-4 advantage in that category. Cuba had a slight edge in attacks (54-50), while both teams recorded two aces. The teams were also close in unforced errors, with Colombia committing 26 and Cuba 28.

Ivonne Montaño led Colombia with 17 points, Ana Karina Olaya added 14 and Laura Grajales contributed 12. For Cuba, Yalain Regla De La Peña was the top scorer with 21 points and the only player on her team to reach double figures.

Colombia captain Alejandra Marín highlighted her team’s ability to stop Cuba’s comeback and deliver in the decisive moments.

“We were able to stop Cuba’s comeback. They are very tough opponents, very strong in attack and blocking. In the end, we were able to use our serve to put pressure on their reception, and it worked for us. A special mention goes to our opposite, who came onto the court when we needed her and delivered. This is only the second time in history that Colombia has reached a Central American and Caribbean Games final, and we are extremely happy. Tomorrow we are going to give it everything we have.”

Cuba head coach Luizomar De Moura emphasized the growth his team has shown throughout the competition.

“We showed that we can compete. I think that if we had extended the match to a fifth set, we could have won. Looking at it objectively, the team has shown that it is growing individually and collectively. We are playing against opponents who have been together longer and have more experience. Cuba is showing a different team, one with great potential, and the work we have been doing is showing. Tomorrow we will once again play for a medal at the Games. The most important thing is that the players have confidence, and they are going to play a great match against their next opponent.”