Cuban Palacios was selected as MVP in Guadalajara

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, October 21, 2011 – Cuba’s Yoana Palacios was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the women’s volleyball tournament at the XVI Pan American Games where her team finished winning a silver medal on Thursday.

The hard hitting Palacios won also the honors as Best Attacker of the competition won by Brazil in a thrilling five-setter. Her teammate Gyselle Silva took home the plaque as Best Server.

Dominican Republic’s Brenda Castillo was selected as Best Receiver, Best Digger and Best Libero and teammate Bethania De la Cruz resulted in the Best Scorer.

Brazilian Danielle Lins was named as Best Setter and United States’s Lauren Gibbemeyer was awarded as the Best Blocker.

Several authorities of FIVB, NORCECA and South American Volleyball Confederations took part in the award ceremonies, including Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, FIVB First Executive Vice President and NORCECA President, Ary Graça Filho, FIVB Executive Vice President and CSV President, and FIVB Board members Rafael Lloreda Currea and Saul Castro Verdugo.