Puerto Rico sweeps Costa Rica to earn U21 semi berth

Toronto, Canada. June 28, 2024:  Puerto Rico advances to the semifinals of the Women’s NORCECA U21 Continental Championship at the Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto, Ontario, after a decisive win over Costa Rica today.

Puerto Rico dominated the scoresheet 3-0 (25-6, 25-10, 25-11).

The winning team led in attack points 39-10, blocks 9-3, and serves 10-0.

Costa Rica also lost more points to errors 17-14.

Puerto Rico’s Chareika Carrión again led her team’s offense with 18 points, including 3 aces.

Puerto Rico will face host Canada in the semifinal on Saturday.

Head coach of Puerto Rico, Jose Ricardo Rivera, said post-match: “In this game we were focused on passing and serving. That was our strategy in practice. For the next game against Canada, we’re focused on doing the same things and the little things so we can move on to the final and play for a medal.”

Opposite player Mariajose Vazquez said: “We played united. The key to this game was to play a happy game with a lot of communication and to do the little things: passing, setting, spiking, and good serving with a lot of enthusiasm. … I’m feeling good (about the semifinal) I bet the girls are feeling great, too. The next game is going to be harder; it’s going to be a better game. I hope we get the win and go to the finals.”