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”.