Venezuela Claims Seventh Place in Five Sets over Costa Rica

LEÓN, Mexico, September 17, 2026.- Venezuela claimed seventh place at the 2026 Women’s Pan American Cup after defeating Costa Rica 3-2 (25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 15-12) on Thursday at the Domo de la Feria in León, Guanajuato.

Venezuela finished the tournament with a 2-4 record, while Costa Rica placed eighth with a 1-5 record.

Venezuela won the first two sets, but Costa Rica fought back to level the match and force a fifth set. In the tiebreaker, Venezuela built a 9-5 lead and held off a Costa Rican comeback that tied the score at 12-12 before winning the final three points, on two blocks by Lauria Vargas and a kill by Anarela Mejías.

Daniela Azócar led Venezuela with 20 points, followed by Anarela Mejías with 19 and Amanda Pacheco with 17. Lauria Vargas contributed 12 points, and Antonella Lovera added 10.

For Costa Rica, Krystel Vargas finished with 19 points, Joselyn Moraga added 18, and Lakysha Thompson and Valeria Campos contributed 11 each.

The difference came in attack, where Venezuela outscored Costa Rica 72-49. The Central Americans held a 16-8 advantage in blocks, while both teams recorded three aces.

Venezuela head coach Yanni Capuzzi highlighted the effort of his under-19 squad, which is preparing for a South American competition.

“We expected a match of this magnitude, a difficult match. We were very pleased to be two sets ahead, but some details affected us, especially physically. Little by little, we regained our energy and managed to win the fifth set. Seventh place is an excellent result because this is an under-19 team preparing for a South American competition. We played six matches at a good level.”