Cuba wins Pool B and secures spot in semifinals

TIJUANA, Mexico, July 7, 2010 – Cuba won Pool B of the NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship and a direct ticket to the semifinals following its 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-22) victory over Puerto Rico. The Cubans recorded a points–ratio of 1.685 (150-89) better than Dominican Republic’s 1.606 (167-104), the winner of Pool A.

Sulian Matienzo led Cuba with 13 points and Regla Gracia and Cheila Cardona each charted 8 points. Puerto Ricans Diana Reyes and Neira Ortiz compiled 9 and 8 respectively.

“We kept playing hard all the time and our goal since we got here is win, win and win,” Cuba’s Captain Yunieska Robles said. “Our objective is to win the tournament.”

“We relied on the power of our attack and the quality of our serves,” Cuban Coach Wilfredo Robinson added. “Puerto Rico never gave up and showed good technical level.”

“It was a well deserved victory for Cuba,” Puerto Rico’s Coach Alejandro Arconada said. “We improved with the match and I hope we can continue progressing during the tournament.”