Cuba wins Pool A of Pan American Cup

TIJUANA, Mexico, June 22, 2010 – Cuba overcame Argentina 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-22) to win Pool A of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup with an unbeaten record of 4-0. The victory earned Cuba a berth in the semifinals while Argentina concluded in third place and moves to the quarterfinals.

Kenia Carcaces scored a match high 24 points to lead the Cuban offense while Yilian Cleger (18), Rachel Sanchez (13) and Yoana Palacios (11) also contributed in double digits to the victory. Argentineans Lucia Fresco and Antonela Bortolozzi each tallied 10 points.

“We are qualified to the Gand Prix which was our main goal and now we need two more victories to win the Cup,” Cuban Yusidey Silie said. “We started a little confident and that hurt us in the first set and part of the second.”

“Now we have two days of a well deserved rest after playing two tournaments in China and then in Montreux” Coach Juan Carlos Gala said. “We will try to continue winning and qualify also to the Final Four.”

Argentinean Coach Horacio Bastit said: “I am satisfied with today’s match as I knew we were facing a strong rival and didn’t have our best attacker Georgina Pinedo who’s nursing a tired shoulder. Our next match against Peru will be a South American classic as I consider Brazil the best team in the world not only of South America. We defeated them 3-1 last time we faced last year in Porto Alegre and I hope we can overcome our inexperience and can repeat that win.”