Cuba dominates Nicaragua to assure ticket to WCH U-19

HAVANA, Cuba, June 28, 2016 – Cuban squad dominated Nicaragua 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-14), in the semi-final round, guaranteeing them the one of the two tickets to the World Championship, 2017, available in the NORCECA Boys U-19 Volleyball Championship at the Sports City Coliseum.

That brings the host team about to equal their performance in the previous tournament in Tulsa, 2014, when they were runner-up after being defeated in a close clash by United States.

Cubans started some disorganized and the Nicaraguans took advantage of it to take the lead. However, finally, it prevailed the local powerful service (6-1) and efficient block (10-0) which jointly with their usual attack (36-30) guaranteed them to reach the great final.

José Carlos Romero (13) and Christian Rojas (12) led the Caribbean offensive, but the match best scorer was the tall and slim player Jonny Zeledón (15) who shouldered his team supported by his team mate Byron Hernández (11).

Nicolás Vives, host coach, commented his boys started really desperate, as almost always. “Afterwards the match was on our side. The substitutes, having organized the block and the counterattacks contributed to the triumph.” 

The left-handed player, Cristian expressed “we should not be overconfident against any rival and we need much communication. Otherwise, it will affect the team unity. For the title, we must enter go in for the kill if we want to win. We should not be pleased with the ticket to the World Championship.”

Osma Hernández, coach of Nicaragua, stated “some players are looking tired, mainly the outside hitters. Moreover, Bayron was suffering from pain in one shoulder and Jonny was doing his utmost. I liked it as it was a hard task he fulfilled against a block like Cuba’s. We are not satisfied, but glad to go for bronze medal.”

Actually Zeledón has played a good tournament, turning into a pillar of his team. “My whole body aches, but I am happy as we have done battle to every team and I will keep on supporting mine. We were disconcerted by Cuba’s service. Nevertheless tomorrow we will farewell with a good sports show.”

Cuba led B Pool undefeated after prevailing over Antigua and Barbuda (3-0), Jamaica (3-0) and Mexico (3-1), which made them to go through to semi finals directly.

Nicaragua finished second-placed in A Pool with wins over the Dominicans (3-1) and the Costa Ricans (3-2) and losses against United States (0-3); and then they survived after beating Jamaica (3-0) in quarterfinals.