MONTERREY, Mexico, September 29, 2006.- The Dominican Republic won the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Volleyball Cup by defeating Peru in four sets in the match for the gold medal. Puerto Rico took the bronze with a victory over Cuba.

The Dominicans, champions of the Central American and Caribbean Games, won by score of 25-17, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17 and finished with an unbeaten record in five outings.

Once again, the main weapons of the Dominicans were their powerful serves and the consistent attack. More  Spanish

MONTERREY, México, September 29, 2006.- Dominican Bethania de la Cruz was elected the Most Valuable Placer of the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Volleyball Cup won by her team with an unbeaten record in five matches.

De la Cruz, who also took the same honor during the NORCECA Continental U-20 Tournament here last August, was the best Dominican scorer with 77 points, including eight blocks and four service winners.

Cuban Yusleyni Herrera was the best scorer with 118 points in six matches and Dominican Cindy Rondon finished as the best spiker with 60.98 average of success (50-for-82). More  Spanish

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 28, 2006.- Dominican Republic and Peru will play the championship match of the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Volleyball Cup after recording four-set victories on Thursday.

The Dominicans recovered from losing the first set and went on to defeat Cuba 20-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-21, and Peru won over Puerto Rico by 25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 25-21.

In the first match of the day for the seventh place, Canada defeated Costa Rica in straight sets 25-22, 25-20, 25-16.  More  Spanish

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 27, 2006.- Cuba and Peru completed on Wednesday the four semifinalists of the TV Azteca’s Volleyball Women Stars Cup.

On Thursday, Cuba will meet Dominican Republic while Peru will entertain Puerto Rico, the unbeaten winners of Pools A and B respectively.

Cuba defeated Mexico 28-26, 25-19, 26-24 and Peru scored a 25-18, 16-25, 26-24, 25-18 over USA.

Cuban Yusleini Herrera repeated her dose of power against the Mexicans, who could not stop her continuous spikes good for 21 points, this time supported by 14 points each from Yusidey Silie and Natali Grinan. Slender Bibi Candelas was the only Mexican in double figures with 17 points. More  Spanish

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 26, 2006.- Puerto Rico and Dominican  Republic are the first semi finalists of the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Volleyball Cup winning their respective pools with unbeaten records in three outings.

Puerto Rico won Pool B with a victory over Canada in straight sets 27-25, 25-21, 25-22 and Dominican Republic took Pool A in defeating Mexico 25-16, 25-22, 17-25, 25-18. More  Spanish

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 25, 2006.- Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic lead their respective pools at the first TV Azteca’s Women Stars  Volleyball Cup after two days of action.

On Monday, Puerto Rico scored a four set victory (25-20, 25-18, 24-26, 25-21) over Cuba relying on the effectiveness of their serves and defense at the net, and Dominican Republic had an easy triumph over Costa Rica in straight sets (25-12, 25-13, 25-17).

Aury Cruz led the Puerto Rican offense with 18 points and Eva Cruz and Sheila Ocasio each added 13 points. Yusleyni Herrera was the best Cuban with 16 points. More  Spanish

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 24, 2006.- Puerto Rico scored its first win ever against USA in women’s volleyball starting the action of Pool B at the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Cup with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 26-24 victory.

Siblings Aury and Eva Cruz led the Puerto Rican offense with 20 and 18 points respectively, and Kathleen Olsovsky topped the Americans with 20 points and Jane Collymore and Wiz Bachman each had 14.

In their previous meeting, USA had defeated Puerto Rico in five sets at the Pan American Cup in San Juan,. More  Spanish

HAVANA, Cuba, September 20, 2006.- Cuba will be represented at Copa TV Azteca in Monterrey, Mexico by a mixture of young and experienced players while the main fixtures of the National Team take some time off in their preparation for the World Championship.

Twelve players have been training at the Cerro Pelado High Performance Center under the supervision of Adalberto Valdez and the assistance of Miguel Alvarez and Wilfredo Robinson. More  Spanish

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, September 19, 2006.- The U.S. Women’s National Team will compete in the Azteca Cup held Sept. 24-29 at Monterrey, Mexico. The event was a late addition to Team USA’s schedule.

The Azteca Cup, in its first year of existence, is an eight-team tournament broken into two pools advancing to the classification round. The U.S. is grouped in Pool B with Canada, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Pool A consists of host Mexico, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Peru.

The Team USA roster for the Azteca Cup will be a mixture of players from the senior and junior national teams, along with a couple players who competed and trained with the national team earlier this year.   More  Spanish