Cuba wins over Canada in straight sets

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras. August 27, 2018 - Cuba started with triumph 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20) over Canada, in the first game of pool A, of the Norceca U-18 Women's Volleyball Championship.

The Cubans dominated all aspects of the game, with advantage in attack (35-21), in blocking (6-5) and in service (9-7), conceding 26 points for own errors, for 28 of the opponent.

Cuba's top scorer was middle blocker Dayana Martinez with 11 points, while captain Thalia Moreno scored 10 points. For Canada, its captain Hannah Duchesneau was left with eight units.

Martinez, said that "the match was very good on the part of the two teams, Canada is very combative, like us. We were very offensive with the serve, with that we achieved many points and it was the most offensive element. In our team we all have participation in the game, we share all situations of the game.

"The first game is very important because the game is missing between the other teams in our group and for now we are leaders, it was very important to achieve this victory. If there is something we have to improve is the reception, we missed a lot in that, and gave them the advantage in the third set."

Jaime Echevarri, Coach of Cuba: "What happened in the third set is something that we were already thinking could happen from the end of the second set. The girls felt like winners before the game ended and that happens in these categories, it's part of what we have to improve and teach because they have a lot of immaturity, with few competitive experience”.

"They performed well at the end, as the matches go by, they will improve their performance. The serve is one of the elements that we give more importance, taking advantage of the characteristic of the Cuban volleyball player and gave us results".

Hannah Duchesneau, captain of Canada: "I feel motivated to win, I feel very happy to be playing a tournament like this. It's very nice to face Cuba, they are champions, I'm sorry, but we can be, that motivates us."

"At the beginning we thought the blocking would help us, but the game was closing and we could not execute some plays better. I think we can do better, I feel we play well, but we can not stay there, talking about that, we have to work hard for what is coming and tomorrow we will be better."

Dale Melnick, coach of Canada:  "I think that for most of the game we did it well. To be an international championship and against Cuba because I think we put them in a lot of complicated situations, unfortunately we did not manage to convert the points enough clear opportunities, especially in the third set".

"Our setters did a good job of having the attackers always in line, they are tremendous girls, I am proud of Canada today!" Said Melnick excitedly.

"We made some changes in the game, we had two different setters and let's face it is our first time here after 12 years, while they (Cuba) come year after year and know the environment, we have to adapt to that, to the fans, the emotion, facing tremendous athletes that Cuba has".