Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Mexico started winning 

MONTERREY, Mexico, September 24, 2006.- Puerto Rico scored its first win ever against USA in women’s volleyball starting the action of Pool B at the TV Azteca’s Women Stars Cup with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 26-24 victory.

Siblings Aury and Eva Cruz led the Puerto Rican offense with 20 and 18 points respectively, and Kathleen Olsovsky topped the Americans with 20 points and Jane Collymore and Wiz Bachman each had 14.

In their previous meeting, USA had defeated Puerto Rico in five sets at the Pan American Cup in San Juan, frustrating the hopes of the host team to qualify for the 2007 World Grand Prix.

“Our goal us to win this tournament and keep improving for the World Championship,” said Aury Cruz. “We knew it was going to be a tough match, but we kept the focus and stayed positive.”

In the other match in Pool B, Cuba also needed four sets to beat Canada by score of 25-22, 25-21, 18-25, 27-25.

The Cubans showed its traditional power despite the fact they are participating with their second squad and Yusleny Herrera enjoyed a terrific day with 28 points while Dalina Bocourt contributed 15 points.

Tasha Holmes was the top Canadian attacker with 20 points and Emily Cordonier and Nadine Alphonse had 13 and 12 respectively.

Natali Grinan, the captain of Cuba, indicated they don’t have the competitive experience but will keep trying to play as a unit. She also praised the Canadians and their physical conditions.

In Pool A, Dominican Republic had few problems in scoring a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-21) victory over Peru.

Cindy Rondon, who was positive in 11 of 15 spiking attempts, led the Dominicans with 15 points and Bethania de la Cruz added 14 points. Leyla Chihuan was the best Peruvian with 9 points.

“I am very satisfied with our performance and the confidence showed by the girls,” said Miguel Beato Cruz, the Dominican coach. “We had to make some adjustments in our reception and blocking, but we really were expecting a stronger game from Peru.”

In the last match of the evening, Mexico enjoyed a good start with a 25-14, 25-19, 25-16 triumph over Costa Rica. Claudia Rodriguez and Bibi Candelas had 16 and 14 points for Mexico and Paola Ramirez and Karen Cope each had 7 points for Costa Rica.