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CALI, Colombia, December 3, 2021. - Puerto Rico
came back from a two-set deficit to beat Peru
3-2 (19-25, 13-25, 25-20, 25-19, 15-13) in the
women’s volleyball tournament of the I Junior
Pan American Games Cali-Valle 2021.
Puerto Rico finished the preliminary round with
1-2 record in pool B and 4points, Peru with the
same record and 9 points; the final positions
will depend on the result between Brazil and
Dominican Republic, deciding which two teams
move forward into the semifinals.
Puerto Rico’s ongoing defense in blocks and
reception stunned Peru that put their
qualification in jeopardy.
Despite Peru’s 61-46 advantage in attacks,
Puerto Rico led 13-10 in blocks and scored on 36
opponent errors against 29. Both teams scored 2
aces.
Four players led both teams attacking. On Puerto
Rico’s side, outside hitters Valeria Flores and
Ivania Ortíz with 14 points each, middle blocker
Jaylibeth Garcia scored 6 blocks from her 10
points and opposite hitter Keishlyann Sánchez
added 10 points. Peru was led by outside hitters
Aixa Vigil and Kiara Montes with 14 points each,
outside hitter Ysabella Sánchez contributed with
11 points and opposite hitter María Paula
Rodriguez with 10 points.
Ivania Ortíz, captain of Puerto Rico: “It
was a really exciting victory; we never gave up.
In the third set we had our minds set in giving
all we had and it worked. We kept our heads up,
defended and blocked, putting Peru out of
system; and we were smart in offense”.
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, head
coach of Puerto Rico: “Our change in setter
worked well, we distributed the game better and
controlled the actions; I believe our blocking
and serve were crucial in winning”. |
