RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 18, 2007.- Puerto Rico will play against the Dominican Republic for the fifth place of the Women’s Volleyball Tournament of the Pan American Games.

The Puerto Ricans defeated Mexico 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 despite playing losing its captain Aury Cruz midway the second set with a leg injury.

“It is not a big deal and I think I will be ready for tomorrow’s match against Dominican Republic,” said Cruz during the post game press conference. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 18, 2007.- Brazil had an easy victory over USA 3-0 moving to the match for the gold medal of the Women’s Volleyball Tournament of the Pan American Games.

Once again, the fans crowded the Maracanazinho Gymnasium to watch their team winning 25-13, 25-20 y 25-20 in a match where Paula Pequeno and Sheila Castro had 16 and 15 points respectively. Walewska Oliveira had 10 points.

"Our team is playing minimizing errors and that has been a very important part for our victories,”More Spanish

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 18, 2007.- Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica 3-0 and earned the chance to play for the fifth position of the Women’s Volleyball Tournament of the Pan American Games.

The sets finished 25-17, 25-6 y 25-15, and Bethania de la Cruz once again was the Dominican offensive force with 17 points, solidifying her position as leading scorer of the competition.

“We are going for the fifth place, we couldn’t defend the crown but we are not going to let it down,” said Cosiris Rodriguez, the Dominican captain. More Spanish P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 17, 2007.- The second day of beach volleyball at the Pan Am Games in Rio featured the start of men’s competition.

The action kicked off with men’s pool A matches and the host Brazil team of Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos defeating Rafael Cabrales/Diego Narajo Barbosa of Colombia 2-0 with scores of 21-6, 21-14.

“The first match is always the most difficult,” commented Rego.  We played against a young and unknown team, but were able to impose our game.  We have objectives for each match so that we can get the Pan American title we still don’t have.”

In men’s pool C, the Venezuela team of Jackson Henrique and Igor Hernandez won a hard fought match against the Puerto Rican pair of Joseph Gil and Joaquim Acosta 2-1 (21-17, 19-21, 18-16). “We had a good start, but later we slowed down and they tied up. But we ended well,” commented Hernandez. More Spanish 

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 16, 2007.- The host country duo of Juliana Silva and Larissa Franca defeated the American pair of  Angie Akers and Brooke Niles to open the Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament of the Pan American Games.

The Brazilians pleased their fans by winning 21-10, 21-16 and providing lessons for Akers and Niles in a match of Pool E.

Also in Pool E on Monday, Ivonne Soler- Laura Molina of El Salvador battled to edge Puerto Ricans Yamileska Yantin-Annia Ruiz 21-13, 14-21, 15-9.

More Spanish 

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 16, 2007.- Peru scored a big surprise by defeating Dominican Republic in five sets coming back from a 1-2 deficit to advance to the semi finals of the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games. The sets finished 14-25, 25-13, 23-25, 29-27, 15-8.

The Dominicans clearly dominated the first set, but the South Americans recovered and established their good overall defense causing discomfort to the Dominican offense.

In the third set, Dominican coach used injured Milagros Cabral  More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 16, 2006.- Cuba qualified atop of Pool B by finishing USA 3-0 in a match of the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games. The Cubans won 25-16, 25-23 y 25-15 in just 58 minutes and had a perfect record in three outings. They will meet in semi finals with the winner between Dominican Republic and Peru.

Cuba used its whole arsenal led by Rosir Calderon who hammered thunderous spikes over the defense at the net.

“Our tactic worked very well and we didn’t allow them to play. More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 16, 2007.- Host Brazilians finished unbeaten in three outings after defeating Mexico 3-0 (25-16, 25-15 y 25-17) in Pool A of the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games.

By finishing first, Brazil now will meet in the semi finals with the second team of Pool B to be decided by the match between USA and Cuba later on Monday.

“I don’t have a favourite rival, both are good teams,” commented Jose Roberto Guimaraes, the Brazilian coach who used replacement players after the first set.  More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 16, 2007.- Puerto Rico defeated Costa Rica 3-0, qualifying in third position of Pool B. The victory enables Puerto Rico to battle for the fifth position of the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games.

The Puerto Ricans got their first victory by scores of 25-14, 25-19 y 25-14 with a good offensive performance from Sarai Alvarez who scored 14 points.

“We came looking for a medal, we were prepared for that but failed at the important moments and now we will have to watch the battle for the medals from the stands,” said Juan Carlos Nunez, the Puerto Rican coach.  More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 15, 2007.- Brazil qualified to the semi finals of the women’s volleyball tournament with a 3-0 victory over Dominican Republic in Pool A. After a tough first set that ended 28-26, the Brazilians easily won the next two 25-16 y 25-15.

The Dominican team suffered a tough loss when stellar Milagros Cabral sustained an injury to his right ankle. She is likely to play on Monday night against Peru in battle for a semi final berth, said Victor Figueroa, the team doctor.

More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 15, 2007.- Cuba defeated Costa Rica 3-0 and advanced along USA to the semi finals of the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games. The Cubans 25-17, 25-12 y 27-25 and will meet the Americans on Monday to define the top place in Pool B.

Antonio Perdomo, the Cuban coach, did not use stellar player Yumilka Ruiz and also benched Zoila Barros midway of the second set.

“I knew we could win without them so I rested them saving both for the tough upcoming matches,” said Perdomo. More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 15, 2007.- Peru attained its firs victory in Pool A by defeating Mexico 3-0 in the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games. The score finished 25-16, 25-23 y 25-17 and was the second defeat for Mexico who still has to play the powerful Brazilian team.

“Today we looked better, we are in a rebuilding process hoping to get Peru back to its former condition of a world class team,” said Brazilian Enio Figueiredo.

Meanwhile, Mexican Macario Gonzalez remarked the importance of these matches for his team, More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 15, 2007.- USA had two big reactions to beat Puerto Rico 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-16 y 25-22) in Pool A of women’s volleyball at the Pan American Games.

The Puerto Ricans had a very consistent first set, but in the second and third the Americans imposed their blocking and potent kills. Puerto Rico was ahead 16-13 in the fourth set, but the Americans rallied 12-6 to take the match.

“We played more stable and placed well our attacks,” said Susan Woodstra, the American coach. More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 14, Brazil got a comfortable win 3-0 over Peru to close the first day of action in the women’s volleyball tournament of the Pan American Games. The sets finished 25-15, 25-19 y 25-12 before a capacity crowd of more than 13,000 spectators.

The Peruvians led 16-13 at the second pause of the second set, but the Brazilians recovered and dominated with their powerful kills to tie at 19-all and cruised the rest of the way.

Fabiana Claudino led Brazil with 17 points and Mari Steinbrecher and Paula Pequeno added 13 and 10 respectively.  More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 14, 2007.- Cuba defeated Puerto Rico 3-1 in a women’s volleyball match of the Pan American Games at Maracanazinho Gymnasium. It was a tough battle for the last two sets of the Cuban victory by scores of 25-18, 25-17, 24-26 y 25-23.

“Our rivals made too many errors at the beginning and we took advantage of that,” said Yumilka Ruiz, the Cuban captain. “When they reacted it was a little bit too late.”

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, but we did not have good concentration at the start,” said Aury Cruz, the Puerto Rican captain. More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 14, 2007.- The Dominican Republic debuted with a 3.0 over Mexico in the second match of women’s volleyball at the XV Pan American Games. The scores were 25-23, 25-16, 25-19 in a match of ups and downs that did not satisfied coach Beato Miguel Cruz.

“We did not have the necessary concentration to win by a wider margin, and we have to go over that matter,” said the Dominican coach.

During the third set, the Dominican Republic played without regulars Milagros Cabral and Cosiri Rodriguez. More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 14, 2007.- USA got an easy 3-0 (25-9, 25-19 y 25-12) over Costa Rica in the opening of the women’s tournament of the XV Pan American Games Rio 2007.

The Americans relied on its powerful game at the net and displayed an explosive attack with great defense that tied-up their rivals’ game.

“We are going to try to advance in the preliminary round and then go after a medal,” commented Captain Danielle Scott. “But the most important thing for our team is the experience to get by our younger players in such strong competition.” More Spanish  P-2 form

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 13, 2007.- Danielle Scott-Arruda will lead the USA delegation into the Opening Ceremony of the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Opening Ceremony takes place today at 6:30 at Maracanã Stadium.

Scott-Arruda,  a three-time Olympian and four-time Pan American Games Volleyball Team member Danielle Scott-Arruda will be the flag bearer for Team USA.

“It is such an honor to be nominated to carry our flag into the Opening Ceremonies,” Scott-Arruda said. “It never even crossed by mind that I would be elected to be flag-bearer, but it really means a lot, especially since I was nominated by the other athletes. It is pretty incredible. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Scott-Arruda is a fitting selection to represent the U.S. delegation at the Pan American Games in Brazil.  More Spanish 

ST. THOMAS.- Trinidad & Tobago ladies, the favourites to win the fifth Caribbean junior championship and fourth in a row, started their 2007 campaign in good form. 

They defeated Martinique 25-11, 25-17 24-26 and 25-10. The favourites took the time to run the bench in the third set losing narrowly. 

Darlene Ramdin led with 16 kills and two aces to be top scorer. She was well supported by her fellow hitter Taila De Souza 11 spikes and 3 blocks, and Malika Charles had 5 service points. More Spanish 

KATOWICE, Poland, July 13, 2007.- The U.S. Men's National Team came back from a 13-19 deficit in the third set to defeat France, 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 28-26) in the final round of the FIVB World League on Thursday in Katowice, Poland.

The victory ensures that the U.S. Men (1-0) will advance to Saturday’s semifinals, as France drops to 0-2 in Pool E. Team USA will face hometown favorite Poland (1-0) on Friday (2 p.m. EDT) to determine the pool winner. The Pool E winner will face the second-place team from Pool F in the semi finals and vice versa. It is the first time the United States has advanced to the World League semi finals since it finished third in 1992. More Spanish 

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, July 12, 2007.- Cristobal Marte, Vice President of International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and President of the Norceca Confederation, praised the structure of volleyball for the Pan American Games and supported the candidacy of Rio de Janeiro as the official representative of the America Continent for the 2016 Olympic Games.

“Brazil, and especially Rio de Janeiro, must be the ambassador of the Americas as the candidate for the 2016 Olympic Games. The organization is above the level required by the International Volleyball Federation and by the International Olympic Committee,” stated Marte after the awarding ceremony of the athletes during the inauguration of the Beach Volleyball Arena for the Pan American Games at Copacabana beach.

“In Brazil we have all the conditions to host the 2016 Olympic Games, a competition not held in the continent since 1996. More Spanish 

CASABLANCA, Morocco, July 12, 2007.- USA and Cuba, the two teams from Norceca at the 2007 Men’s Junior Championship stayed out of the semi final round while Russia, Iran, Brazil joined Italy to compose the Final Four teams.

USA and Cuba both finished with 3-2 records and will be playing on Saturday in the Round to define the fifth to eight positions.

In Pool A in Casablanca, Cuba played the role of spoilers by stopping Bulgaria 3-2 (17-25, 25-14, 27-29, 25-17, 19-17) with Raydel Delgado scoring 26 points.

In Pool B, Argentina scored a big upset by spoiling hopes the USA may have had for a berth in the semi-finals. More Spanish 

CASABLANCA, Morocco, July 10, 2007.- Cuba won their first match in the Junior World Championship by

 defeating Iran 3-2 (23-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 15-13).

In Rabat, Brazil proved their favouritism in the after they stopped USA 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19) in a match played in Rabat in Pool B on Monday.

Brazil's big guns Wallace De Souza and Tiago Barth put on an exhilarating attacking display to penetrate the solid American block as Brazil wrapped up the match in 100 minutes.

However, the USA did not give up without a fight. American William Price was the best scorer of the match with 21 points.

 With a 2-1 record, USA is battling for the first place of Pool B and Cuba is now 1-2 in Pool A. More Spanish 

COLIMA, Mexico, June 29, 2007.- Cuban middle-blocker Nancy Carrillo was elected as the Most Valuable Player of the Sixth Annual Women’s Pan American Cup won by her team with a victory over Brazil.

Carrillo was also de best attacker and the best server of the twelve-team competition, a qualifier for the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

Dominicans Bethania de la Cruz and Carmen Rosa Caso resulted in the best scorer and libero and Canadians Tasha Holness and Larissa Cundy were the best blocker and setter respectively.

Peruvian Vanessa Palacios and Brazilian Camila Brait were the top receiver and defender of the sixth edition of the intercontinental event. More Spanish 

Nancy Carrillo

COLIMA, Mexico, June 29, 2007.- Cuba once again proved that there is no substitute for experience and won the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup for the fourth time in six years.

The poised Olympic bronze medallists took the title at the sixth edition of the intercontinental event by teaching a volleyball lesson to the Junior Team of Brazil. They won in straight sets by scores of  25-14, 25-21, 25-20.

The Cubans employed their trademark strong serves to neutralize the Brazilian squad during a match that lasted just 69 minutes. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 29, 2007.-  Cindy Rondon and Milagros Cabral combined for 38 points carrying the Dominican Republic to a third place finish at the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup.

Rondon had 20 points and Cabral added 18 in the 25-19, 26-28, 25-18, 28-26 victory over the USA. Bethania de la Cruz had 16 and Annerys Vargas and Cosiris Rodriguez contributed 11 and 9 points respectively.  More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Cuba will meet Brazil in the gold medal match of the Women’s Pan American Cup after defeating Dominican Republic in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.

It was a seesaw battle for the first two sets but Cuba completely overwhelmed in the third with powerful serves and well executed blocks despite a late reaction by the losers. The Dominicans will play for the bronze against USA with the four teams already qualified for the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

 More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Brazil rolled past USA in straight sets and advanced to the championship match of the Sixth Annual Women’s Pan American Cup.

The young Brazilians displayed a tight defense combined with thunderous spikes in winning 25-15, 25-15, 25-18. They will meet in the gold medal match against the winner of Cuba and Dominican Republic in the other semi final.

The Brazilians had 13 blocks with Camila Monteiro and Malu Silva leading the way with 5 and 4 respectively.  More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Puerto Rico climbed back to win a five-setter and qualified in the fifth position of the Pan American Women’s Cup with a victory against Argentina.

After losing the first two sets, the Puerto Ricans recovered and defeated a tired Argentinean side 21-25, 15-25, 25-17, 25-22, 15-10.

Eva Cruz and Karina Ocasio paced Puerto Rico with 17 and 15 points respectively and Sheila Ocasio and Aury Cruz had 12 and 10. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 28, 2007.- Peru won the match for the seventh position of the Women’s Pan American Cup in defeating Costa Rica in straight sets (25-14, 25-17, 25-22.”

Jessenia Uceda and Patricia Soto led Peru with 11 and 10 points respectively and Leyla Chihuán and Yulissa Samudio had 9 and 8 points. Karen Cope had 14 points for Costa Rica and Paola Ramirez scored 9.

“The team is improving and we need to keep working hard in order to get a good result at the Pan American Games,” More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

Governor of Colima offered a dinner to volleyball authorities

Betina Schmidt is the prettiest face of the Pan Am Cup

COLIMA, Mexico,- Blondie Betina Schmidt was elected the prettiest face among all participants in the Sixth Annual Women’s Pan American Cup in a poll conducted by “Ecos de la Costa” a local daily newspaper.

Schmidt, who sports blue eyes and a pony-tail, is the 18 years-old setter of the Brazilian young team.

Americans Cynthia Barboza and Candace Lee finished second and third respectively, in the off court competition. Barboza is a brunette of Mexican parents while Lee is of Chinese ancestry. More Spanish

COLIMA, Mexico, June 27, 2007.- Brazil made it to the Final Four round of the Women’s Pan American Cup with a triumph over Argentina in consecutive sets by scores of 25-11, 25-18, 25-19.

The victory qualified the Brazilians to the next year FIVB World Grand Prix. They will meet USA in the semi finals of Thursday.

Natalia Pereira, Ingrid Felix and Camila Monteiro led Brazil with 14, 13 and 11 points respectively and Silvana Papini added 9.

“We served very well in the first set,” said Brazilian Betina Schmidt. “Both teams wanted to go to the next round, and now we will see what happens against USA”. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio