Cuba will face USA in semi finals 

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, January 9, 2008.- Cuba will meet USA in a semi final match of the NORCECA Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. They advanced by defeating Dominican Republic 25-15, 25-21, 25-23 in the quarterfinals.

Rolando Jurquin led Cuba with 15 points, Raydel Corrales added 12 and Henry Bell contributed 10. Odelvis Dominico and Roberlandy Simon each added 9 points. Jose Caceres and Victor Batista totalled 21 and 10 points for Dominican Republic.
”We are catching our rhythm and this one has been our best performance,” said Orlando Samuels, the Cuban coach. “We know the USA Team has prepared very well for this competition but we are ready to battle.”

“I am satisfied with our overall performance because we came here without our best player, Elvis Contreras, and today we lost our middle-blocker halfway the second set,” said Jacinto Campechano. “I hope to continue working with this group of young athletes who have a great potential.”

Cuba took an early lead in the first set and dominated the rest of the way relying on the tandem of Jurquin and Corrales.

The second set was not different, with the Cubans showing good reception and attacking with Simon and Dominico.

In the third set, both teams battled closely until the late stages when the powerful offence of Cuba made the difference.