Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and USA in BVB Pan American semifinals

LIMA, Peru, July 28, 2019 – Defending champions Argentina, Toronto 2015 silver medalists Cuba will now face each other in the semifinals of the XVIII Pan American Games in Lima 2019, while the other semifinal will be between Brazil and the United States.

Ana Gallay, who now plays with Fernanda Pereira, will try to take Argentina to her second final in a row, while Cuban Leila Martinez, with new partner Maylen Deliz, will try to get even from the loss in the Toronto final.

Deliz / Martínez left Costa Rica (Valenciano / Araya) 2-0 (21-17, 21-14) on the road, while Argentina beat Chile (Rivas / Mardones) 2-0 in a vibrant match that was defined 22 -20 in the first set and 21-19 in the second.

Meanwhile, Ángela Lavalle / Carolina Horta, from Brazil defeated Colombia (Ayala / Ríos) 2-0 (21-17, 21-13) and will now measure Jace Pardon and Karissa Cook, from the United States who surpassed without problems 2 -0 (21-8, 21-10) to Caballero / Valiente, from Paraguay.

Horta was a bronze medalist in Toronto 2015 after falling in the semifinals against Brazil, but now has a new partner (Lavalle), trying to reach the final.

STATEMENTS

Leyla Martínez, from Cuba: “I know that whole Cuba is supporting us, they follow beach volleyball closely, we are here to give joy to our people. Costa Rica belongs to our NORCECA area; It is a team that has been growing in these years and is advancing in these Games. Today we go out to finish the game quickly and not to get so confused. We have to be prepared to face whatever comes, because the best quality of the event remains. ”

Ana Gallay, from Argentina: “We knew that Chile was improving, they have a good coach and they are much more polished, we knew we would be a little tense, we hope to be freer tomorrow because we meet one of the objectives and if we can play more loose I think that we are more teams. "

Ángela Lavalle, from Brazil: “We took another step, we have a good team and now we have to concentrate for the semifinal. Our mood is really high. I want to believe that we can play better, each team is different, like Colombia that put a lot of tension, they are skilled, fast and demanded that we be stronger. We have to pay attention to everything and thank God we get it and we are here very happy. ”

Horta, from Brazil: “We are not thinking about the next opponent, regardless of who the opponent is, we have to play our best game. We played with great intelligence today, it was a very difficult team. ”

Karissa Cook, from the United States: "We expect a very different game tactically and more difficult, Brazil has a high block, they play more physically and also have a very good strategy."

RESULTS

Quarterfinals: CUB def CRC 2-0 (21-17, 21-14); ARG def CHI 2-0 (22-20, 21-18); BRA def COL 2-0 (21-17, 21-13); USA def PAR 2-0 (21-8, 21-10). Qualification 9-12: PER def NCA 2-1 (18-21, 24-22, 15-11); CAN def MEX 2-0 (21-16, 21-17). Place 11-12: MEX def NCA 2-0 (21-16, 21-18). Place 13-14: ESA def TTO (22-20, 21-14).