Venezuela scores historic victory over Cuba at Barranquilla CACG

BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, July 22, 2018. - Venezuela scored historic victory over Cuba in five sets 3-2 (30-28, 18-25, 25-21, 12-25, 17-15) at the women’s volleyball tournament of the 2018 Barranquilla XXIII Central American and Caribbean Games at Humberto Perea Coliseum.

Venezuela finishes third in pool A with 1-2 record and will play the quarterfinals; while Cuba finishes 0-3 and will not fight for medals. Venezuela will face in the next round the winner between Colombia and Puerto Rico.

The duel started off with an intense first set win for Venezuela by 30-28, the longest so far. It was a party of sets, with Cuba taking charge in the fourth with a huge 25-12 margin to force a tie-break.

Cuba’s 13-9 margin in blocking and powerful serving margin of 11-4 weren’t enough to keep on moving towards the medals of the event. Cuba had a slim 63-62 margin in spikes and both teams allowed 27 points from unforced errors.

Wing spiker Nelmaira Valdez carried Venezuela with 28 points, improving Amanda Caneo’s 27 points in Colombia’s victory yesterday. Valdez scored on 25 kills and three blocks, joined by wing spiker Iberia Chourios with 20 points, including 18 attacks and one ace. On Cuba’s side, wing spiker Dairis Pérez topped with 22 points, including 18 kills and 3 aces, and Claudia Hernández contributed with 20 points, including 16 attacks and 3 blocks.

Venezuelan Nelmaira Valdez said their performance was spectacular “our enthusiasm was crucial, adding that we worked on our mental skills during this morning’s practice. We were focused. We’ve only been practicing for one week and we are slowly improving; today Venezuela showed their real game level and we still have to improve. Our battling spirit must continue and the younger players have shown they are skillful”.

Cuban Ihosvani Chamber, coach of Venezuela said to be satisfied “this is historic, I believe it’s the first time ever that Venezuela beats Cuba in women’s volleyball and Cuba won’t go for any medal. I have worked with several of their technical staff and I have mixed feelings. I am pleased with the result, with my girl’s performance, but mostly with their good energy. We are betting on this young team, I believe the youngest of the competition, we have elements to work for the future”.