Cuba Finishes Seventh at NORCECA U17 Continental Championship

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, November 9, 2025. – Cuba defeated Suriname 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 25-10) to claim seventh place at the 2025 NORCECA Girls’ U17 Continental Championship, held from November 4 to 9 in San José, Costa Rica.

Cuba closed the tournament with a 1-4 record, while Suriname finished winless. The Cubans held the edge in serving (16-11) and committed fewer errors (33-44), while Suriname led in blocking (4-3). Both teams scored 50 attacking points.

Cuban outside hitter Amanda Mayor led all scorers with 19 points on 12 kills and 7 aces. For Suriname, Cherelle Meulenhof and Zoe Roethof each contributed 16 points.

The opening set was tightly contested, with both teams trading points early on. Cuba gained control through Sahily Prats’ quick attacks and Amanda Mayor’s strong serves, taking the set 25-21.

In the second set, Cuba maintained a slim lead throughout. Suriname rallied from a 15-18  deficit to tie the score behind Meulenhof’s kills and Roethof’s blocking, but Cuba closed the set 25-22 thanks to Mayor’s late scoring surge.

Suriname answered in the third set, with Sara-Isha Pawiroredjo effective on offense and Amelia Jambo applying service pressure to build a four-point lead (18-14). Meulenhof sealed the set with key blocks and attacks for a 25-18 win.

Cuba dominated the fourth set, racing to a 14-4 advantage under Mayor’s powerful serving and never looking back, wrapping up the match with a commanding 25-10 finish.

Carina Menes, Head Coach of Cuba, said: “In the last set they performed well and showed their true level, with little playing experience. The team’s average age is 14, they still have a lot to learn.”

Claudius Straal, Head Coach of Suriname, reflected: “I am satisfied with the first two sets, they finally proved they are capable of better results”.