Cuba wins to Guatemala in their NORCECA U20 debut

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, June 18, 2018. - Cuba won 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-12) to Guatemala at their NORCECA U20 Women’s Continental Championship that started on Monday at Poliforum Universitario Morelos in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

It was a slow beginning for Cuba in pool A, while trying to settle after a scrappy first set. Cuba improved their overall performance, especially in blocking to stop an high-spirited Guatemalan group that put up great resistance.

Cuba led with a huge 13-1 margin in blocking, 38-26 margin in kills and 5-3 in serves. Cuba committed 15 unforced errors while Guatemala finished with 24.

Ailama Cese led Cuba with 14 points, joined by Thalia Moreno with 12 points and Yamisleydis Viltres with 11 points. Jimena Castellanos led Guatemala with 8 points.

On Tuesday in pool A, Cuba (1-0) will face United States and Guatemala (0-1) will play against Puerto Rico.

Thalia Moreno captain of Cuba: “We feel good for the victory despite Guatemala is an easy opponent, we committed too many errors. We got back on track fast”. About tomorrows match, “we must play stronger because United States limits their errors. We must commit less errors than today”. Speaking about general expectations of the event, “our mind is set on winning the tournament and qualifying to the world championship”.

Regla Torres head coach of Cuba: “I wasn’t expecting to start so badly. This team hasn’t played this year. They were putting pressure on themselves and so was I being my first time coaching a team. I hope to improve in tomorrow’s match”. About her new role as coach, “I retired because I didn’t want to play anymore, so I feel good about my decision. I am pressured because I don’t want to make mistakes, like the one I did in the first set”. About her team, “we are well prepared, but today our spikes and serves were way below our level, our defense was poor because we were off position”.

Carmen Gómez captain of Guatemala: “We gave all we got, we weren’t intimidated by their height or strength, it was a good opening match. Our best feature was in serves, we were able to put Cuba off balance and we never gave up. Our reception was bad and we must improve in that matter”.

Cuban William Fernández head coach of Guatemala: “My players’ efforts were at their best, despite Cuba’s high quality. Using four players on the receiving line worked out well for us and my team did not feel inferior, Cuba blocked us but we scored on our own kills. The team had good energy. The preliminary round will prepare us for placing matches which we expect to win”.