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Coaches comment ahead of
the U21 Women’s Pan American Cup
NOGALES, Mexico, May 23,
2023.- Coaches of the eight competing teams commented about their
expectations during the preliminary inquiries ahead of the U21 Women’s
NORCECA Pan American Cup that starts on Wednesday May 24.
After learning about the
reschedule of the preliminary round and quarterfinals, they expressed:
José Fontes, Head Coach
Belize: “This is
the first time at a Norceca level for the team, they are excited to be
here and with expectations of learning and growing. There are some
players who study in the United States which didn’t give us an
opportunity to train as a group; in addition to this some players
couldn’t come because they had commitment with school. We are seeking
for a positive experience”.
Edivaldo Bonilla, Head
Coach Costa Rica:
“Most of the players are
part of the U19 team that competed last week in Puerto Rico because we
want to stabilize the group for the Central American championship. We
are including two girls with the age limit for this tournament. The team
is motivated after the results in Puerto Rico, but aware that our
opponents will pay more attention to us which brings more
responsibilities. Our expectations are to qualify to quarterfinals and
see what lies ahead of the competition”.
Wilfredo Robinson, Head
Coach Cuba: “The
team is in good condition, without taking in account the three days it
took us to come here, just like all the teams. We have players in all
positions that are in good shape to face the competition. Several have
been playing overseas and are well, our intention is to reach the
final”.
Cristian Cruz, Head
Coach Dominican Republic:
“The team is physically and
technically prepared, we worked with them mentally after falling to
Costa Rica at the U19 cup, they are coming focused and with the goal of
reaching the medal round. The team will give their best level no matter
who their opponent is”.
William Fernández, Head
Coach Guatemala:
“That team prepared well,
the team has young players, only four of them are of this age-group. We
are coming to play good volleyball and to battle strong against the
teams of our area Central America. The backbone of the team has
experience in Pan American Cups in Peru and here in Mexico, as well as
in the U21 Central American championship; for five or six athletes it’s
their first international experience”.
Luis Alberto León, Head
Coach Mexico:
“We’ve been in Nogales for ten days, adjusting to training. The team is
anxious to begin competing. For us this is the beginning of our process
for the U21 world championship which we’ll host in August, and we are
aiming to compete here all the way to finals. Two players (Aime and
Arleth) were part of the team that was in Puerto Rico”.
José Rivera, Head Coach
Puerto Rico: “We
are using this tournament to continue our preparation for the U19 world
championship. Only two players are U21, and the rest of the group
represented us at the U19 cup last week in Puerto Rico, and some players
that we are observing their performance at this type of event. We hope
to finish the tournament healthy after the difficulties coming here and
to keep the teams’ continuity ahead of the U19 world championship”.
Daniel Fisher, Head
Coach United States:
“I am very proud of how the
training environment developed and the girls supported each other, it
was a unique experience being with elite training around the men’s and
women’s senior teams. We are excited to compete once again, the group is
ready for the competition”. |
