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Havana, Cuba, March 19, 2015 – In the first five-setter of the
tournament, Puerto Rico overcame Chile 25-21, 29-31, 25-19,
22-25, 15-13 to finish with a 2-1 win-loss record in Pool B of
the III U18 Girls’ Pan American Volleyball Cup.
The two-hour and ten-minute game was highlighted by the superior
attack of the Puerto Ricans (58-45) who also made fewer errors
(45-50).
The Puerto Rican top scorers were outside hitters Ivania Ortiz
and Paola Salas each with 19 points, followed by Dariana
Hollingsworth (13) and the captain Joscelyn Coronel (11).
Chile’s best scorers were Josefa Martí (17) and Amalia Carvajal
(12).
The coach of Puerto Rico, Luis Aponte, despite the victory, was
not satisfied as his girls were quite erratic with a six or
seven-missed service average per set.
“In the second where we lost 29-31, we made 22 errors. It means
the rivals only need to score nine points. Thanks to God we
ended victorious, with lots of work as the intensity of my team
was weak. We did not do enough to deserve the triumph, although
the Chileans also made faults. Fortunately, at the end, the
victory was on our side.
Coronel expressed “I think we were overconfident. We scouted our
opponents very well and then we knew what we had to do. However
at certain moment we did not fulfil the instructions and we let
two sets escape. Nevertheless the match was good, every one of
us enjoyed it, and it is another chance to compete.”
Hugo Jauregui, coach of Chile, rated the match as “beautiful
between two similar teams. However the last two errors cost us
the triumph. Anyway, we were able to come from behind twice and
tie. Two years ago, the Puerto Ricans also won over us 3-2, but
now we are happy as we have finished in the pool as expected. It
has been a good championship so far. We need more games like
today.
Catalina Reyes, their captain, explained “we failed in the
decisive points. However we fought and obliged our rivals to
continue playing. Anyway, we want to keep improving in
quarter-finals and not make the same mistakes.” |
