Cuba advances to semifinals of Pan Am Cup

CIUDAD JUAREZ, July 7, 2011 – Cuba scored a 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 25-14) victory over Puerto Rico to reach the semifinals of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup on Thursday.

Cubans Ana Cleger and Kenia Carcaces charted 13 points apiece while Aury Cruz tallied 10 for Puerto Rico. The winners had a 13-4 advantage in the blocking category.

“We are in the Grand Prix and that was one of the main objectives when we came to this tournament,” Cuban Yusidey Silie said. “The coming from behind victory in the first set had influence in our win.”

“The short serves from Cuba took us off guard and losing the first set after being ahead 24-20 deflated our morale strength,” Puerto Rican Vilmarie Mojica said.

“The key point is to have qualified to next year’s Grand Prix,” Cuba’s Juan Carlos Gala said. “Now we will play a strong Brazil on Friday and then we know where we are as a team.”

“I agree with my captain about the short serves and they also attacked down the middle better than in previous matches,” Puerto Rico’s David Aleman said.