First Puerto Rican victory over Cuba in 45 years

 

COLIMA, Mexico, June 22, 2007.- Puerto Rico scored a major upset by defeating Cuba in five sets –the first Puerto Rican victory over the Cubans in women’s volleyball in past 45 years.

 

A spike by Karina Ocasio in the tie-breaker sealed the first triumph of Puerto Rico over Cuba since the 1962 Central American and Caribbean Games in Kingston, Jamaica. The score was 20-25, 25-15, 17-25, 25-20, 15-13.

 

Puerto Rican Aury Cruz was the best scorer of the match with 20 points, Ocasio added 18 and Sarai Alvarez had 13. Yanelis Santos led Cuba with 16, Nancy Carrillo and Daimi Ramirez had 14 apiece and Rosir Calderon scored 11 tallies.

 

“We came in focused and trying to do our best and reduce the mistakes,” said Cruz. “It was a very intense match and I feel happy with the victory.”

 

“It was a close match and Puerto Rico deserved to win,” said Cuban Yumilka Ruiz. “They served well and our reception was not good.”