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TULSA, Oklahoma, USA, July 22, 2022 – Puerto
Rico almost handed Brazil its first loss of the
Pan American Cup, but the South Americans
prevailed, 3-2 (19-25, 25-21, 25-15, 18-25,
15-8) on Friday at the Cox Business Convention
Center in Tulsa.
Brazil (4-0) will play for the championship on
Saturday. Puerto Rico will play for third place.
Puerto Rico is qualified for the 2023 FIVB Girls
U19 World Championship.
Brazil led the match in aces (13-6) and blocks
(16-9). Puerto Rico led in attacks (54-48). The
teams each had 25 scoring errors.
The teams were tied 5-5 in the fifth set when
Brazil scored on an ace and a kill, both from
outside hitter Vittoria Kuehne, and Puerto Rico
never recovered.
Brazil’s outside hitter Rebeca Borges led all
scorers with 25 points on 19 spikes, two blocks
and a match-high four aces. Vittoria finished
with 18 points on 15 kills and three aces.
Middle blocker Juliana Palhano scored 12 points
on five spikes and a match-high seven blocks.
Puerto Rico’s left-handed opposite Grace Lopez
scored 22 points on a match-high 20 attacks, one
block and one ace. Outside hitter Destiny
Skerrett added 15 points on 12 spikes and three
blocks.
Juan Carlos Rodriguez, coach of Puerto Rico: It
was a good match. The players raised their game
with a great first set that was almost perfect.
We recover in the room. Brazil is a taller team
but not as strong. I am proud and satisfied with
the work of the girls. |
