Dominican Republic handed Mexico its third loss

Cuba built a high wall against Peru

Argentina with one spot in quarterfinals

Brazil lost a set but is still unbeaten in Pool B

USA improves to 4-0 in Pool A

Puerto Rico rotated players in victory over Uruguay

Better blocking carried Costa Rica over Mexico

Puerto Rico keeps playing impressive

Americans prevailed over Dominicans after intense battle

Cuba returned to the right track

Argentina won for second time in 16 hours

Brazil trounced Uruguay

Argentina beat Mexico in three sets

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Argentina handed Mexico a painful loss scoring a 25-20, 25-22, 25-14 victory in the last match of Friday, the second day of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Argentineans had to come from behind in the first two sets but rolled past the host Mexicans in the third with great blocking.

Antonella Bortolozzo paved the way for Argentina with 18 points and Martha Revuelta scored 12 for Mexico.

“We played very well in the third set when we made all the adjustments and established our blocking,” said Carlos DiLonardo, the coach of Argentina. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Puerto Rico scored a major upset by defeating Cuba in five sets –the first Puerto Rican victory over the Cubans in women’s volleyball in past 45 years.

A spike by Karina Ocasio in the tie-breaker sealed the first triumph of Puerto Rico over Cuba since the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games in Kingston, Jamaica. The score was 20-25, 25-15, 17-25, 25-20, 15-13.

Puerto Rican Aury Cruz was the best scorer of the match with 20 points, Ocasio added 18 and Sarai Alvarez had 13.  More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- In a one-sided match the Dominican Republic scored its second victory in Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup by crushing Trinidad & Tobago 25-7, 25-9, 25-10.

Dominican Bethania de la Cruz was positive in 7 of 9 attacks and served 4 aces in route to 14 points and Sidarka Nunez chipped in 10 points. More Spanish  P-2 form  Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Brazil established its talent and overall ability to defeat Peru 25-18, 25-23, 25-16 in a battle of South American teams in Pool B.

Once again, the young Brazilian squad of teenagers executed near to perfection in all the elements of the game and left no doubts about which was the best team on the court. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- The high blocking carried USA to a 25-14, 25-15, 25-13 victory over Costa Rica in the second day of Pool A action at the Sixth Women’s Pan American Cup.

It was the second triumph in as many days for the Americans who won in four sets against Argentina on Thursday. Costa Rica is 0-2.

Cynthia Barboza led a balanced USA offense with 11 points, Tracy Stalls and Jennifer Joines each had 8 and Cassandra Busse and Catherine Wilkins contributed 7 apiece. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Canada came back strong after a five-set loss the night before and downed Uruguay in straight sets 25-16, 25-17, 25-13 with consistent blocking and accurate serves.

Emely Cordonier led the attack with 10 points and was helped by Tara Smart and Shelley Chambers with 8 points apiece. The siblings Victoria and Florencia Aguirre topped Uruguay with 10 and 8 respectively.

“We were able to put things together and played more steady and consistent,” said Naoki Miyashita, the coach of Canada.

“Canada obviously is a better team and we are in the middle of a growing process,” said Rafael Codina, the coach of Uruguay. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Mexico finished the weak Trinidad & Tobago in straight sets (25-10, 25-19, 25-8) in the final match of the first day of action of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Mexicans were too strong for the Trinidadians who for the first time are participating in the twelve-team event.

“We need to win tomorrow against Argentina to make the second round and attain our goal,” said Mexican Migdalel Ruiz.

“We played better in the second set but we are still a long way to go,” said Francisco Cruz, the coach of Trinidad & Tobago. “But always there is a first time, a start.” More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Brazil erased a three-point deficit late in the first set and went on to defeat Puerto Rico 35-33, 25-23, 25-19.

The talented Brazilians, using the Pan American Cup as preparation for the U-20 World Championship in Thailand next month, left no doubts about their great potential spiking, serving, blocking and even kicking the ball as a reminder of their soccer tradition.

Natalia Pereira topped Brazil with 23 points and Silvana Papini added 17. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Cynthia Barboza led four Americans in double figures and USA defeated Argentina 17-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 in a match of Pool A of the Pan American Cup.

Barboza totalled 16 points and Tracy Stalls and Katherine Wilkins each added 14 tallies for the triumph while Cassandra Busse contributed 11. Yamila Nizetich led Argentina with a dozen points and Antonela Bortolozzi and Leticia Boscacci scored 11 and 10 points respectively. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Peru prevailed in a fiery battle of five sets against Canada in Pool B of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The solid floor defense by the Peruvians proved to be better than the strong blocking of Canada in the match that finished 25-21, 21-25, 31-29, 16-25, 16-14 in favour of the South American side.

Jessenia Uceda led Peru with 22 points, Leyla Chihuan and Luren Baylon each produced 15 points and Sara Joya added 10. More Spanish  P-2 form  Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- For the first two sets, Dominican Republic had a tough battle against Costa Rica but at the end scored a 25-21, 25-22, 25-10 victory in the first match of Pool A of the Women’s Pan American Cup.

The Dominicans had to deal with an ankle injury of setter Rosalyn Angeles late in the first set but she was able to come back to start the third.

Costa Rica gave away many points with missing serves while the Dominicans won the key points overcoming their coordination problems with the spikes and serves of substitute Sidarka Nunez spikes since late in the second set. More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

COLIMA, Mexico, June 21, 2007.- Cuba easily won the first match of the Sixth Women’s Pan American Cup by defeating Uruguay in straight sets (25-13, 25-11, 25-14).

The three-time cup champions and favourites of Pool B, relied on their serves and potent spikes led by Nancy Carrillo with 16 points, including four aces.

Cubans Zoila Barros, Rosir Calderon and Yanelis Santos each had 8 points.

“We served and located very well and used the match as preparation for the upcoming games,” said Antonio Perdomo, the Cuban coach.

“I am very proud of the way the girls played against a powerful team as Cuba, considered the favourite to win the Cup,” said Rafael Codina, the coach of Uruguay.

 More Spanish  P-2 form Photo Courtesy of Milenio

HAVANA,Cuba, June 20, 2007.- Led by seven bronze medalists of Athens ’04 the Cuban National Team travelled to Colima, Mexico to participate at the VI Women’s Pan American Cup, a qualifier to the 2008 World Grand Prix.

Yumilka Ruiz, Olympic monarch in Atlanta and Sidney leads the group completed by middle-blockers Zoila Barros (gold in Sydney) and Nancy Carrillo, outside hitter Rosir Calderon, setters Yanelis Santos and Daimi Ramirez and Liana Mesa as libero replacing injured Lisbet Arredondo. The rest of the team consists of attackers Kenia Carcaces and Yusleiny Herrera, middle-blockers Yenisey Gonzalez and Raquel Sanchez and setter Yusidey Silie.

 More Spanish

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, June 19, 2007.- Cassia “Shanna” Ferreira has been appointed captain of  the T&T women’s team which will debut at the Sixth Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup to be played in Colima City, Mexico from June 19 to 30.

The 12-member national women’s team was selected by Cuban-born coach Francisco “Panchy” Cruz yesterday and includes experienced players Karen Moses, More Spanish

SAN SEBASTIAN, Puerto Rico, June 17, 2007.- Peru and Puerto Rico split the women’s volleyball series in preparation for the Pan American Cup with each team getting two victories apiece.

Peru won the fourth and final contest in five sets by scores of 27-25, 18-25, 25-19, 11-25, 15-10 with veteran Leyla Chihuan contributing 18 points.

Puerto Rican Aury Cruz topped all the scorers with 20 points and Dariam Acevedo and Sarai Alvarez each had 10 points.

Puerto Rico won both of its matches (first and third) by 3-0, while Peru needed four and five sets to win its own. The host team prevailed in nine sets against six by the visitors. More Spanish

Dariam Acevedo

TOA BAJA, Puerto Rico, June 16, 2007.- Relying on outstanding combined offense and great power display at the net, Puerto Rico defeated Peru in straight sets in the third match of the women’s volleyball friendly series in preparation for the Pan American Cup.

Puerto Rico won by scores of 25-14, 25-20, 25-21 in the match played at the Antonio Barceló Coliseum of Toa Baja.

The Puerto Ricans dominated without major problems in the first two sets, but the Peruvians were more aggressive in the third and commanded 8-6 and 16-12 during the pauses. But Puerto Rico came back from 18-20 with big serves and blocks to win the match. More Spanish

Karina Ocasio

JUNCOS, Puerto Rico, June 15, 2007.- Peru defeated Puerto Rico in four sets (16-25, 29-27, 25-14 y 25-21) in the second match of the women’s volleyball friendly series in preparation for the Pan American Cup.

The Peruvians, who lost in straight sets in the opening match, enjoyed the splendid performance of Lauren Baylon and Jesenia Uceda who scored 23 and 20 points respectively. Mirtha Uribe added 11.

Karina Ocasio was the best Puerto Rican scorer with 15 points, Aury Cruz contributed 13 points, Vanessa Velez had nine and Eva Cruz chipped in seven. More Spanish

CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, June 13, 2007.- Puerto Rico defeated Peru in the first match of a friendly series in preparation for the upcoming Women’s Pan American Cup in Colima, Mexico.

Sarai Alvarez and Aury Cruz led the 25-16, 25-22, 25-22 victory with 12 and 11 points respectively. Eva Cruz and Sheila Ocasio had 9 and 7 for Puerto Rico and Patricia Soto led Peru with 14 tallies.

Alvarez is making the most out of the chance to be in the regular starting team which also has Deborah Seilhamer as libero.

The second of the four-match series will be on Thursday at Juncos, where the Puerto Rican U-18 Team will meet the Superior League Juncos’ Team. More Spanish

Sarai Alvarez

COLIMA, Mexico, June 12, 2007.- The Governor of the State of Colima, Mr. Jesus Silverio Cavazos, will greet all the delegations taking part in the Sixth Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup in the city of Colima on June 21-29 during a welcome reception at the downtown Center Plaza.

The reception will be on the evening of Tuesday 19, and includes a show of fireworks to celebrate the presence of the best women’s teams from the Americas.

Twelve teams from the NORCECA and the South America Confederations will battle here seeking four spots available in the 2008 FIVB World Grand Prix.

The top three ranked teams of NORCECA in the competition and the first ranked from South America earn tickets to the premier annual women’s event of FIVB. More Spanish

MOUNTREUX, Switzerland, June 11, 2007.- Cuban Nancy Carrillo was elected the Most Valuable Player of the 23 edition of the Montreux Volley Masters won by China with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-18 straight sets victory over Cuba in the final match on Sunday.

Carrillo, the top Cuban scorer with 66 points, was the best spiker of the competition with an average of 59.26 of positive kills, followed by teammate Rosir Calderon with 53.41. Cuban Yanelis Santos was the best server with 14 aces for an average of 0.74 by set.

In the final match, China ruled in all sectors of the game and from the very beginning of the match, the Asian were strangling their opponents and never let them breathe.  More Spanish

GUADALAJARA, Spain, June 11, 2007.- The Dominican Republic swept Spain in the four-match friendly series between the women’s volleyball series of both countries.

The powerful Dominicans defeated their Spaniards counterparts in straight sets (25-20, 27-25, 25-15) in the fourth match last Saturday. The first three contests finished in favor of the Dominican Republic by scores of 3-1, 3-2, 3-2.

The serves and blocking was the key for the Dominicans in the first set, and even the second was a close battle.

 More Spanish

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 9, 2007.- Veteran Jose Martell, whose leadership qualities and overall ability, helped Mexico to win the gold medal of the Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup, was elected as the Most Valuable Player of the competition.

The lefty hitter Martell was the only member of the new champions in the All-Star Team, which reflects the team-effort made by the Mexican squad during the whole tournament.

Cuban Yadier Sanchez won the best scorer and best attacker categories and Dominican Amaury Martinez was both the best receiver and libero. More Spanish

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 8, 2007.- Mexico won the gold medal of the Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by scoring a four-set victory over Puerto Rico 26-24, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20 on Friday night.

The Mexicans, who finished in second place of Pool A during the preliminary phase, defeated Panama in the quarterfinals, and then beat Cuba in semi finals. Their only loss was against the Puerto Ricans in their opening match.

Both Mexico and Puerto Rico were already qualified to the Americas Cup next year in Brazil.

More Spanish P-2 form

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, June 8, 2007.- Cuba won the bronze medal at the Men’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by defeating Canada in four sets (25-21, 25-27, 25-21, 25-19) on Friday.

As the third place team of this competition, Cuba qualified along with Puerto Rico and Mexico to the 2008 Americas Cup in Brazil.

Yadier Sanchez, the Cuban Captain, was the top scorer of the match with 24 points, Raidel Gonzalez added 16, including eight blocks,  More Spanish P-2 form