KOBE, Japan, November 3, 2006.- Puerto Rico secured a spot in the second round of the FIVB 2006 Women’s World Championship with a spectacular victory over Kazakhstan by score of 25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23 in Pool C.

Karina Ocasio had a splendid match with 25 points and she was followed by Aury and Eva Cruz with 18 and 14 respectively and Jetzabel del Valle who had 13.

“Now we are in the second round,” said coach Juan Carlos Nunez. “The key today was to keep a balanced offense with everyone contributing. Now we will go tomorrow against The Netterlands looking for another victory.”

Meanwhile, in Pool D, Cuba dispatched Egypt 25-9, 25-9, 25-15 in just 53 minutes. Rosir Calderon led Cuba with 13 points, Yanelis Santos added 10 and Nancy Carrillo and Daimi Ramirez each had 9 tallies.

"At the meeting in the morning, I gave some information about Egypt to the players. I respect the Egyptians' attitude,” said Felipe Calderon, the Cuban coach.

 

Cuba captain Yumilka Ruiz said: "The Egyptian team is improving. It is difficult to have only matches against other African teams, but they were using a variety of offensive shots. They were good."

 

In Pool C, USA improved its record to 3-0 with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-11 victory over Cameroon. Tayyiba Haneef scored 14 points, Heather Bown had 11 and Nancy Metcalf 10.

 

“In this match we were able to find our rhythm and we are happy with the result. The Cameroon players worked very hard. From here on, we are just taking it game by game. We don't think ahead. So for Brazil, we're fired up,” said Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, the United States Captain.

 

In Pool A, Costa Rica lost to Poland 25-17, 20-25, 25-11, 25-14 and the Central Americans were content in winning their first set in a World Championship. Verania and Angela Willis led Costa Rica with 20 and 14 points respectively.

“Our players are getting much better day by day. Poland is stronger than us as a team, so winning one set is a great achievement. I congratulate our players, and they will celebrate together,” said Costa Rican coach Braulio Godinez. 

In Pool B, Dominican Republic lost to Azerbaijan in four sets by score of 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-14. Cindy Rondon led the Dominicans with 15 points, Annerys Vargas had 12 and Cosiris Rodriguez added 11.

"I think we played good volleyball, especially in the first set. However, from the second set onwards, we lacked finishing power and that's why we lost the match," said Rodriguez, the Dominican Republic captain.

 

Also in Pool B, Mexico was defeated by China in straight sets by 25-20, 25-10, 25-12, Bibi Candelas had 9 points for Mexico.

 

"We knew before this match that China is a very strong team and that they play to a very high level, therefore I do not have any special comments to make about this match. "We play Dominican Republic tomorrow and their standard of play is closer to us and we hope we can get a victory in that game,” said Orlando Samuels, the coach of Mexico.