Peru Wins U17 Girls Pan American Opener

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, May 27, 2024.- Peru won opening match of the first U17 Girls  Pan American Cup defeating Dominican Republic in straight sets (25-16, 26-24, 25-19) at the Multi-sports Dome in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Peru and Dominican Republic are in Group A of the event. On Tuesday, Peru will face Cuba and Dominican Republic will go up against Mexico.

The South American team started the first two sets behind, and in the second set, they prevented the Dominican Republic from tying the match by saving three set points (21-24).

Peru was more effective in attack points (31-29) and blocks (6-3), while the Dominicans topped in service points (10-7). Peru benefited from 32 Dominican errors compared to 17 from their own.

The top scorer of the match was Peru’s team captain, Ariana Vásquez, with 16 points on 12 attacks, one block, and three service points. Outside hitter Gianella Chanca contributed to the victory with 11 points on 8 attacks, one block, and two service points.

Dominican captain Estel Santos led her team with 14 points on 12 attacks and two service points. Opposite hitter Rayni Mondesi finished with 9 points on 5 attacks, one block, and three service points.

With great joy, Peru’s captain, Ariana Vásquez, expressed, “It was an effort by all the girls, we fought for every ball.” Regarding the win, she said, “It’s very good because it helps us mentally; I think we had confidence in what we know how to do on the court, but we have to focus on tomorrow’s match now.”

“It’s natural to make mistakes at this age, but today there were too many, especially in that second set that we couldn’t close,” said  Dominican Republic’s coach, Brazilian Marcelo Cezarano. “I understand that it’s the first game with me as coach, we changed the system of play a bit and it’s a learning process. It’s more complicated when you don’t play frequently. Tomorrow we’ll try to reduce the mistakes.”