Puerto Rico wins match for fifth place at U-18 Cup

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 8 2011 - Puerto Rico finished in the fifth place after defeating Chile 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-20) at Girls’ U-18 Pan American Cup.

Stephanie Massanet was the top scorer for Puerto Rico with 15 points, while Gabriela Varela scored 14, and Kanisha Jimenez 10. For Chile, Amalia Carvajal scored 14.

“Finishing sixth with an U-15 team in a U-18 tournament playing against more experience teams it is not easy, but we enjoyed a lot this competition and we appreciate the invitation made by the NORCECA Confederation,” stated Chilean coach Italo Raggio.

“Some of the players in this category could not be at this tournament, because were called to the senior Pan Am Cup in Juarez (Chihuahua), but our girls did a great job on the first and second set, and this tournament helped us to see how to prepare and evaluate the team for the World Championship,” Puerto Rican Coach Eric Gonzalez said.