Cuba outclass Peru to secure spot in quarterfinals

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 6, 2016 – Cuba defeated Peru in straight sets 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-21) in Pool B to secure a quarterfinal ticket at the XV Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup.

The loss relegated Peru to the fourth position with 3-2 win-loss record but only 12 points. Cuba finished with 3-2 and 18 points and will conclude second or third depending on the outcome of the match between USA (4-0 and 18 points) and Argentina (3-1 and 16) later today.

Heidy Rodriguez was the best Cuban with 23 points followed by Sulian Matienzo with 11. Peru’s Angela Leyva had 23 in the losing effort.

Cuba outclassed Peru in the blocking category with an overwhelming 11-0 margin.

“The team played really focused today and the reception was fine as well as our blocking,” Cuban Roberto Garcia commented. “The difference today compared to yesterday was our level of concentration.”

“We had a lot of problems to control the services,” Peru’s coach Mauro Marasciulo said. “The different ball being used in the tournament should be the factor. We missed too many serves.”

“We went out to give our best effort and achieve the goal of advancing to the next round,” Cuba’s Matienzo said. “We have faced Peru many times and the two teams know each other very well.”

“Cuba played a good game and we didn’t concentrate well,” Peru’s Mirtha Uribe said. “We missed with our serves and the power of Cuba at the net was superior to ours.”