BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 28, 2006.- Puerto Rico won the gold medal at the 2006 NORCECA Youth Men’s Continental Tournament while defeating USA 25-20, 25-22, 25-21. Both teams were already qualified for next year’s World Championship.

Captain Enmanuel Batista was the top scorer with 15 points, Omar Rivera added 13 and Sequiel Sanchez had 11 points. More Spanish

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 26, 2006.-  Showing composure beyond its years, the USA came back from a two-set deficit to defeat Cuba, 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-13), on Saturday in the semifinals of the 2006 NORCECA Boys U-19 Continental Championship.

With the victory they joined Puerto Rico as teams qualified for the 2007 FIVB Boys Youth World Championships. Those teams will meet in the finals on Sunday.

“The win over Cuba was fantastic,” said U.S. Head Coach Tino Reyes “The team just wouldn’t quit and kept fighting after being down 2-0. The staff kept preaching and the boys did a great job.” More Spanish

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 25, 2006.- USA and Canada joined the semi finals of the NORCECA Boys’ U-19 Continental Tournament scoring easy 3-0 victories on Friday over Mexico and Dominican Republic.

The Americans defeated Mexico 25-16, 25-9, 25-13 advancing to a contest against Cuba, while the Canadians triumphed over host Dominicans 25-21, 25-20, 25-19 and now will meet Puerto Rico. More Spanish

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 24, 2006.- Puerto Rico beat Guatemala 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-9) to win Pool A of the NORCECA Boys U-19 Continental Tournament advancing the semi final round.

Rafael Negron scored 10 points and was the only placer with double figures. He was followed by Omar Rivera and William Badillo with 9 and 8 points respectively. More Spanish

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 23, 2006.- Puerto Rico and Cuba kept their unbeaten records in two outings at the NORCECA Boys’ U-19 Tournament, where the two top ranked team will qualify for the 2007 FIVB World Championship.

The Puerto Ricans beat Dominican Republic in straight sets 25-21, 25-17 y 25-16 and the Cubans also blanked Canada 3-0, earning a spot in the semi finals of next Saturday. More Spanish

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 22, 2006.- Puerto Rico, Cuba and Dominican  Republic won its opening matches at the NORCECA Boys U-19 Tournament, a qualifier for next year’s FIVB World Championship.

Puerto Ricans defeated USA Team in straight sets (26-24, 25-21. 25-20) with great floor defense coverage and good attack. More Spanish

BAYAGUANA, Dominican Republic, August 22, 2006.- USA and Puerto Rico will meet in the inaugural match of the NORCECA Boys Continental Tournament starting on Tuesday at the Municipal Gym of this Dominican province.

Cuba will play against Mexico in the following match before the Opening Ceremony where Felipe Payano, the Dominican Minister of Sports, and Luis Mejia, President of the Dominican Olympic Committee are special guests.

Alexis Garcia, President of the Dominican Republic Volleyball Federation also will be in attendance as Nelson Ramirez, President of the Control Committee for the competition. More Spanish