Brazil overcome feisty Colombia

Lima, Peru, September 3, 2012 – Brazil opened the inaugural U-23 Women’s Pan American Cup with a 3-1 (25-19, 21-25, 27-25, 25-20) over a resilient Colombia in Pool A at Miguel Grau Coliseum on Monday.

Sara Silva topped Brazil with 25 points, including five blocks and two aces, followed by captain Rosamaria Montibeller who finished with 20. Paula Camila Mohr chipped in with 10 tallies.

Colombia’s Melisa Rangel and Diana Arrechea each registered 13 points and the trio of Ivonne Montano, Andrea Estrada and Maria Martinez finished with 8 points apiece.

Brazil held advantages of 56-42 advantage in attacks and 12-5 in blocks to compensate their 32 unforced errors compared to 19 by Colombia. The winners had a slim 11-10 margin in the aces category.

“It was a very close match between the two youngest teams in the tournament,” Montibeller said. “All the sets were battled and the difference was in the small details.”

“It is the first time we win a set against Brazil and we are very proud about taking part in this Pan American Cup,” Colombia’s Maria Marín commented. “We made too many errors in the third set when we were ahead by seven points.”

“For many of this players it is their first international competition,” Brazil’s coach Luizomar Moura said. “This is a great opportunity for our preparation to the upcoming South American Junior Tournament.”

Oscar Guevara, coach of Colombia, said: “We have been working with this group since last year and today we showed a great advance. We gave a big effort and I think we are on the right track.”