TIJUANA, Baja California, June 2, 2008.- Venezuela took advantage of the mistakes of its opponent and dominated Cuba 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) in the first match of Pool B in the Pan American Cup. The loss left Cuba out of the 2009 FIVB World Grand Prix for the first time in the history of the event.

Venezuela had effective and clutch attacks from middle blocker Jessica Paz along with the usual quota of its attackers Desiree Glod and Jayce Andrade.

Glod and Andrade had 12 and 11 points respectively and Aleoscar Blanco contributed 10. Yusleini Herrera led Cuba with 14.

The Cubans were ahead in the first and third frame going to the second pause, but at the end the mistakes with their reception were her worst enemy.

It was the first victory for Venezuela (1-4), while Cuba, a four-time winner of the Pan American Cup, is out of the second phase and without chance of getting one of the three spots of NORCECA to the 2009 World Grand Prix.

“Today we played as a team,” said Andrade. “We have great respect for Cuba and entered the court with decision. They made many errors and we took advantage of it.”

Yusleini Herrera, of Cuba: “This is a young team, but we still can give more. We are here to get the most out of us. We must continue playing to achieve that goal.”