Puerto Rico joins the Final Four phase

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, June 17, 2014 – Puerto Rico stormed past Canada in straight sets (25-17, 25-16, 30-28) in a quarterfinal match of the XIII Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup at Juan de la Barrera Gymnasium on Tuesday.

The victory earned Puerto Rico a final-four berth in the annual intercontinental event against a rival still to be determined. It is the third time in the history of the event that Puerto Rico have reaches the semifinals as they did also in 2008 and 2009.

Aury Cruz scored 20 points to pace Puerto Rico, including three blocks and two aces, while Vanessa Velez added 16. Alexandra Oquendo and Lynda Morales each chipped in 9 tallies.

Lisa Barclay, Brittney Page and Kyla Richey finished with 12, 11 and 9 points, respectively, in the losing cause.

“I am very proud of my team as we have accomplished the first two goals we established, first qualifying to the Grand Prix and advancing to the final four,” Puerto Rican coach Jose Mieles said. “It was a great game for my team. We have been able to come from less to more. Canada played a lot better in the third set, and that’s the team we are used to play against.”

“I am very glad about qualifying to the semifinals but there is a lot of work to do,” Puerto Rican captain Sheila Ocasio said. “They (Canadians) elevated their game in the third set but we battled and never quit.”

“Puerto Rico served very well and our technical execution was very low and that was the key for the success of Puerto Rico,” Canada’s coach Arnd Ludwig said. “You can’t follow your tactics when those elements are off. When we reacted in the third set was too late.”

“Puerto Rico played a solid all-around game and we are responsible for our loss,” Canada’s captain Brittney Page said. “I am disappointed.”