Colombia earn ticket to U18 WCH in Argentina

Havana, Cuba, April 1, 2017 – Colombia grabbed the South American vacancy to the U18 FIVB Girls’ World Championship following a quarterfinal victory over Mexico combined with a loss suffered by Chile to Cuba at the Pan American Cup taking place at Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum in Havana on Friday.

Colombia joined hosts Argentina, Brazil and Peru as South American teams to compete at the world event to be held in the cities of Rosario and Santa Fe, Argentina from August 18 to 27.

Cuba and Mexico had earned their tickets the day before as the top non-qualified NORCECA teams in the Pan Am Cup.

The Dominican Republic and United States are the other two NORCECA teams qualified to Argentina as champions and runners-up of their continental championship.

In Saturday’s semifinals, Dominican Republic meets Colombia while Cuba faces Argentina. In the consolation round, Guatemala plays Uruguay and Puerto Rico faces Costa Rica.

The South American team coached by Brazilian Antonio Rizola defeated Mexico 3-1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-21, 25-22) but they did not start celebrating until watching the cruising victory of Cuba over Chile 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-14) in the last match of Friday.

Ana Olaya scored 17 points to lead four Colombians with double figures in the score sheet. Valerin Carabali contributed 12, including five blocks, while Angie Velasquez and Manuela Ibarguen delivered 11 points apiece. Mexico’s Uxue Guereca and Daniela Siller had 18 and 11 points, respectively, in the loss.

Ailama Cese and Ivy May Vila each contributed 14 points in the Cuban victory over Chile, while Yamisleydis Viltres and Elizabeth Vicet added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Chile’s Beatriz Novoa finished with 14 points in the loss.

Cuba held advantages of 11-4 and 10-1 in blocks and aces with Viltres leading the defense at the net with five blocks of her own while Vicet landed four of her serves for aces.

Earlier on Friday, Costa Rica hold off a strong reaction from Uruguay to claim a 3-2 (22-25, 25-12, 22-25, 17-25, 15-7) victory and Puerto Rico swept Guatemala 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-17).

Tamara Espinoza had 22 points for Costa Rica, followed by teammate Beatriz Saenz with 12 tallies. Melissa Paez and Natalia Rodriguez charted 12 and 10 for Uruguay.

Sofia Victoria with 12 points was the only player with double digits in the victory of Puerto Rico over Guatemala in just 72 minutes.