Cuba closer to U18 WCH qualification

Havana, Cuba, March 18, 2015 – Cuba team won over Chile in consecutive sets 25-13, 25-17, and 25-13 on the second competition day of the III U18 Girls’ Pan American Volleyball Cup getting closer to the qualification for the World Championship to be held next August.  

In one of the games of the Pool B which gathers the candidates for such major event, the local players were superior in spike (41-16), and in block (9-3) in an attack led by Kitania Medina and Diaris Pérez (both with 14), and Heidy Casanova (11). On the South American side, Josefa Martí was the top scorer (7). 

Tomás Fernández, the Antillean coach, stated that “we scouted Chile. However my team played at the same level of the rival by making many unnecessary and unforced errors; But our game at the net, jumping power and impressive strength are factors to win smoothly. I am happy as we are one step away of the available ticket.”

Their captain, Aidchi Aguero, assured that “we triumphed for the unity, the impetus and desire to win as it helped us to be closer to the qualification. Although, we relaxed a lot and played at their level point by point, but at the end we knew to overtake it and define the success.”

The Chilean coach, Hugo Jauregui, indicated that “it was a very hard match as the Cubans are pretty fast spikers. Although starting from the service we created them some difficulties. It was our merit; Cuba could not develop the game shown yesterday and at certain times we could demonstrated our game, and in addition to our good service, we were able to defend. However we could not get to win.”

Catalina Reyes, the South American captain recognised that “we could have fought much more, but we made a lot of errors. First, we damaged them with our service and defence, but only for a while. What is lacking is keeping a good rhythm.”