Cuba Advances Directly to the U23

Women’s Pan American Cup Semifinals

LEÓN, Guanajuato, July 29, 2025.– With an exciting 3-1 (31-29, 21-25, 25-20, 27-25) victory over Mexico, Cuba secured first place in Pool B and a direct ticket to the semifinals of the U23 Women’s Pan American Cup, held at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.

Mexico, second in the pool, will play the quarterfinals on Tuesday against Costa Rica. Canada finished in third place, while Nicaragua ended in fourth.

The first set was a high-intensity show that went into extra points, with both teams missing set opportunities. A block by Yalain De La Peña against Andrea Félix sealed the set for Cuba, 31-29.

In the second set, Mexico responded strongly, jumping to a 5-0 lead thanks to Marcela Herrera’s attack and a block, combined with Cuban errors. With Aimé Topete leading the offense, Mexico closed the set 25-21 to even the match.

Cuba regained control in the third, capitalizing on ten Mexican errors and with Claudia Tarín leading the attack, took the set 25-20.

The fourth set remained thrilling until the end, with multiple tied scores. With Cuba ahead 24-22, Katherine Ramírez saved Mexico with two consecutive kills to tie it at 24. After another tie at 25, a kill from Tarín and a block by Lisbeysis Hernández against Topete sealed the Cuban victory 27-25.

Cuba dominated at the net with a 15-8 blocking advantage, while Mexico led in attacks 62-57. Both teams scored 3 aces, with Cuba committing fewer errors (26-29).

Cuba’s offense was led by outside hitter Claudia Tarín with 21 points (18 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace), followed by opposite Yalain De La Peña with 20 (15 attacks, 5 blocks) and captain Whitney James with 12 points, all on kills.

For Mexico, Aimé Topete topped all scorers with 23 points (22 kills, 1 ace), while Marcela Herrera contributed 12 points.

Cuba’s Coach, Wilfredo Robinson, pointed out, “Mexico put up strong resistance, I congratulate them. Cuba, despite the difficulties of getting here, has been consolidating as the competition has progressed. Today our reception and blocking were good, in fact, all the elements of the game worked.”

Mexico’s Coach, Luis León, commented on his team’s performance, “We made too many mistakes. Yesterday we showed a different team than the one that faced Cuba today, and that cost us the first place in the group and a direct ticket to the semifinals. We still have the same goal of reaching the final.”