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GUADALAJARA, Mexico, August 26, 2021. - Puerto
Rico won the Women’s NORCECA Continental
Championship opener to United States 3-2 (21-25,
28-26, 25-19, 21-25, 15-9) in Arena Astros of
Guadalajara, Mexico.
Puerto Rico recovered from dropping the first
set with strength in attacks (62-46) while the
U.S. sustained the pressure up to an extended
tie-break with an impressive 20-9 in blocks. The
winning side held a 7-4 margin also in serves
and benefited on 32 U.S. errors but giving away
34.
Opposite hitter Brittany Abbercombie and middle
blocker Neira Ortiz led Puerto Rico with 17
points each. Abbercombie on 15 kills, one block
and one ace, Ortiz leading Puerto Ricans blocks
with 5 points and serves with 4 points; outside
hitters Pilar Victoria and Stephanie Enright
followed with 15 and 11 points respectively.
Outside hitter Kara Bajema topped the U.S. with
17 points on 13 kills, 3 blocks and one ace,
opposite hitter Danielle Cuttino added 11 points
and middle blocker Rachael Kramer scored 10
points, leading all blockers with 8 points.
On day two of pool A, Puerto Rico (1-0) rests
and the United States (0-1) faces Canada.
Natalia Valentín, Captain of Puerto Rico: “This
was teamwork and I believe our serves were key.
The teams’ chemistry is flowing and also with
our new coach (Fernando). Our playing system was
good despite having a few days of training
together. We are happy to begin with a victory”.
Fernando Morales, Coach of Puerto Rico: “We are
really glad especially because it’s our first
game together; happy as well of how we performed
because it’s a long tournament and we know we
will improve every day. It helps our confidence
beating United States”.
Danielle Cuttino, Captain of United States: “It
was hard, we showed a lot of fight for our first
game and only being together for two weeks, we
did some things we need to improve. I’m happy
with what we did”.
Joseph Trinsey, Coach of United States: “We
fought hard and our level was good, but our
execution didn’t always match it so we got to
get a little better in our fundamentals: passing
and serving especially”. |
