Costa Rica dominates Cuba and will play for fifth place in NORCECA U19

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, July 18, 2024.- Costa Rica recovered from losing the first set to beat Cuba 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-19) and will play for fifth place in the Girls U19 NORCECA Continental Championship at the Jorge Galeano Gymnasium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

On Friday at 2:00pm, Costa Rica will face the Dominican Republic for fifth place; meanwhile, at noon, Cuba will play against Honduras for seventh place.

Costa Rica earned the win scoring 38 points on Cuban errors compared to 18 and with a 13-11 advantage in serves. Cuba was superior in attacks 46-39 and in blocks 7-4.

Costa Rica's captain, middle blocker María del Sol Venegas, led her team with 13 points (12 attacks, one block). Outside hitter Galia Luconi also contributed to the victory with 13 points (11 attacks, one block, one ace). Mariela Navarro added 10 points (7 attacks, one block, 2 aces).

The top scorer of the match was Cuba's Salet Castillo with 16 points (13 attacks, one block, 2 aces). Middle blocker Lizt López and team captain Yesica Brito each scored 10 points for Cuba.

María del Sol Venegas, captain of Costa Rica: “It was a team effort. We tried to improve our attitude because we know that when that happens, we do things well. Our game is about teamwork, being a team on the court, and our system is communication”.

Norka Latamblét, Cuba's coach: “The team knows the game fundamentals, but they lack the energy to play”.