Cuba win bronze medal against Puerto Rico

CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, September 17, 2011 – Cuba downed Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-20, 25-15, 25-21) in the match for the bronze medal of NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship on Saturday.

Cuba outblocked Puerto Rico 11-3 and held the edge in service winners 6-5. Gyselle Silva had five blocks and Yanelis Santos scored three aces.

Kenia Carcaces led Cuba with 16 points and Yoana Palacios added 12. Santos and Silva each contributed 9 points. Aury Cruz was the only Puerto Rico’s player with double figures in scoring finishing with 16 points.

“Our objective was the qualification to the World Cup, so we are not happy,” Cuba’s Yusdeiy Silie stated. “But considering the circumstances, a third place is better than nothing.”

“The players followed our tactical plan and it paid dividends,” Coach Juan Carlos Gala said. “In general, the team didn’t attain the goal of reaching the World Cup.”

“We played a good third set against a powerful team like Cuba,” Puerto Rico’s Vilmarie Mojica said. “The reserve players did a good job.”

“Cuba is a powerful team and taller than us,” Coach David Aleman said. “I think we can improve and prepare for the Pan American Games and the Olympic Qualification Tournament.”