Puerto Rico Claims Bronze at the Central

American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, August 7, 2026.- Puerto Rico claimed the bronze medal in the women’s volleyball tournament at the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026 after defeating Cuba 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-18).

The victory gave Puerto Rico its third bronze medal in the history of the Central American and Caribbean Games. The Puerto Ricans have also won six silver medals for a total of nine medals in the competition.

Puerto Rico avenged its loss to Cuba in the group stage, when the Cubans won in straight sets.

The first two sets were the most closely contested of the match. In the first, Cuba reached set point with a 24-23 lead, but Puerto Rico responded with three consecutive points to turn the score around and take the set 26-24.

The second set remained even through a 10-10 tie before Puerto Rico began to pull ahead. The Puerto Ricans built a five-point advantage and reached set point at 24-21. Cuba saved two set points before Puerto Rico closed it out 25-23 to take a 2-0 lead.

Puerto Rico took control early in the third set, establishing a 7-3 advantage. Cuba tried to close the gap, but the Puerto Ricans maintained their lead and extended the margin in the second half of the set before closing it 25-18 to secure the bronze medal.

Puerto Rico held the advantage in every skill, outscoring Cuba 42-39 in kills, 9-7 in blocks and 5-2 in aces. Puerto Rico also committed 17 unforced errors compared to Cuba’s 20.

Decelise Champion led Puerto Rico’s offense with 15 points, while Valeria Vázquez and Adriana Rodríguez contributed 11 points each. Greisy Fine was Cuba’s only player in double figures with 10 points.

For Cuba, the result meant finishing outside the podium. The Cubans have won eight gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals in the history of the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Puerto Rico’s team captain Shara Venegas, with tears of joy, expressed her happiness about finishing the tournament with a medal following the team’s semifinal loss.

“We are very happy. We gave ourselves some space after yesterday’s loss; we were sad and discouraged, but calm because we knew we would come out strong today. Rest was key for this match. When the day started, we came in focused, and we finished it well with a medal. We are medalists, and we are happy,” Venegas said.