Cuba sweeps Haiti in opening match
FORT LAUDERDALE, United States, July 26. 2016. - Cuba swept away
Haiti in straight sets 25-8, 25-9, 25-14 in opening match of the
NORCECA Women’s U-20 Continental Championship at Nova
Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Cuba’s powerful serves (12-1) were too much for Haiti, who
sustained a couple of good rallies with good defense. Cuba also
held huge advantage in blocks (7-0) and in spikes (33-15).
Outside hitter and captain Diaris Perez topped all scorers with
13 points joined by setter Dalila Palma with 11 points. Haiti’s
best scorer was opposite Solaida Pierre with 8 points.
Cuba’s (1-0) next opponent in pool A is Costa Rica while Haiti
(0-1) faces Dominican Republic.
“Despite it was an easy match for us, it prepares us for the
whole tournament. The harder matches will come later and that’s
where we must perform our best. We all want to congratulate
Haiti because they put up a good fight” said captain Diaris
Perez.
Cuban coach Roberto Garcia said “the team is preparing for our
third match, that’s when we will face an opponent with better
level; and later on for the crossovers in the next round that
will be more challenging. My players did well today while
serving and we still have to work on our defense”.
Coach Osse Jean Francois of Haiti expressed “there’s a huge
defference among Cuba and us. My players were scared but they
adapted better in the end, which should happen from the start of
the next matches”.
Captain Graziella Chery of Haiti said “it wasn’t easy facing
Cuba, we were afraid because they have tall players. We are
short so we had to rely on our defense”. |