Argentina seals ticket to 2012 World Grand Prix

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico, July 8, 2011.- Argentina sealed their ticket to the 2012 FIVB World Grand Prix by defeating Peru in five sets (19-25, 25-15, 24-26, 15-12) at the 10^th Pan American Women’s Volleyball Cup.

It was a thrilling and difficult match with a successful outcome for Argentina. There were long rallies that gave excitement to the match as both teams were after the last spot available for the South American region at the World Grand Prix. Peru will play for the seventh place.

Georgina Pinedo led Argentina to the victory with 20 points, followed by Lucia Fresco who scored 18. For Peru, Angelica Aquino scored 19 points,  Yulissa Zamudio contributed 17 and Mirtha Uribe 15. Argentineans scored 6 aces and Peru 4.

“Since last year we’ve been fighting to qualify for the Grand Prix, we have grown much during the cup and now we can enjoy our victory,” Pinedo said.

For Diana Soto the loss was bitter-sweet. “We almost had the win, but we lost key points.”

Coach Horacio Bastit was very happy for Argentina. “From my point of view, we were superior and clear winners, I am thrilled.”

Luca Cristofani, Italian coach for Peru, expressed his disappointment with the referees, as he pointed out that during his 25 years of career he was never expelled from a set.

 “I had to come to America to see such terrible mistakes and this wasn’t the first time during the tournament, as I have video proof of our match against Brazil with a bad rotation, and it was the same referee.”