Peru stuns Cuba and advances to gold medal match

TIJUANA, Mexico, June 25, 2010 – Peru scored a stunning straight sets victory against Cuba advancing to the gold medal match of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup. The scores were 25-18, 25-23, 25-23.

Jessenia Uceda and Karla Ortiz topped the winning side with 14 and 13 points respectively while Yulissa Zamudio charted 9. Cuban Kenia Carcaces had a match-high 18 points and Rachel Sanchez compiled 9.

“One of our dreams have come true and that was to battle for a gold medal after so many years,” Peruvian Leyla Chihuan said. “But the job is not complete yet. We never thought about a 3-0 victory but those things happen in sports.”

“This is a victory we dedicate to all the Peruvian people,” Peruvian assistant coach Edwin Jimenez said. “Everything came out well for us today. We played good defense and kept the focus during the whole match.”

Cuban coach Juan Carlos Gala said: “Peru played a perfect game with great defense and a tactical serves.”