Cuba win bronze medal at Central American and Caribbean Games

CORDOBA, Mexico, November 20, 2014 - Cuba won the bronze medal of Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games in a five setter against Mexico (24-26, 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 15-13).

Mexico opened fiercely the first set that was key to mantain the hope for a tie-breaker. However, Cuba controlled the final points.

Melissa Vargas was the most effective player of the match, totalizing 26  points for Cuba. Caridad Matienzo and Regla Gracia also contributed with 15 and 13 points respectively.

Andrea Rangel was the top scorer for Mexico with 16 points, while Seomara Sainz scored 14 and Claudia Rios 13. Mexico had a light advantage in services 4-3, and Cuba closed with a 9-6 blocking ballance in their favor.

Mexico improved the result of Mayaguez 2010, when the team finished fifth after being eliminated in quarterfinals by Trinidad and Tobago. Cuba returned to the top four after one cycle absence four years ago. Their last podium was captured at Cartagena 2006, where the Cuban team won silver.

“It was not bad, but we wanted a medal. It was a quite tough match on both sides of the net and a little bit difficult for us, but we’ve learned a lot, and we must keep on working on that line” said Andrea Rangel, captain of Mexico.

For Juan Carlos Gala this is one more step in a new process. “Yesterday we played five sets, today other five sets. Despite we lost  last night we have a project based in the long term not in a single result or for one medal. This is a group of girls representing women,” He said.

“We wanted the gold medal, but we’ve fought hard for the bronce and we are glad with this bronce,” Sulian Caridad Matienzo, captain of Cuba said. “Cuba di dan excellent work. If I could make a recap of the year, this was a very good way to close it with this result at the Central American and Caribbean Games. We also qualified to a Grand Prix (for the second time) and to a World Championship. We played tough against teams like Cuba, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Tonight the ballance was in favor of Cuba, but it could be on any side,” Jorge Azair, coach of Mexico salid.