Brazil edges Argentina for first victory

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, April 30, 2013. -  Brazil edged Argentina in straight sets 25-20, 25-18 and 25-19 for their first victory in Pool A during the second day in the U-18 Girls Pan American Cup atTeodoro Palacios Flores in Guatemala.

The winners held a huge advantage in the blocking category by 14-5 and were also better in aces by 7-5. Brazil had a continuous performance during the whole match.Both teams stand with a 1-1 win-loss mark.

Laiza Ferreira and KarolineTormena with 12 points each were Brazil’s top scorers and Lorenne Geraldo contributed with 11 points. For Argentina, Irene Verasio was the best scorer with 10 points.

Lorenne Geraldo was glad with the win “we played better today, our blocking improved as well as our defense”.

Sol Piccolo captain of Argentina indicated “we put pressure and for moments we did well, we weren’t able to close in critical moments during the match.”

“Brazil played against Argentina five times last year and we knew their possible line up. This is our preparation for the World Championship and our goal is to improve in every match hoping to meet again with Dominican Republic in the final match” said Mauricio Thomas.

“Congratulations to Brazil, they’ve been growing and I predict they’ll do well in the World Championship” said Guillermo Caceres. “In the first set the girls couldn’t respond and in the second set we weren’t able to make things difficult for Brazil. We’ll go on improving during the tournament” he added.