MEXICALI, Baja California, June 5, 2008.- Aury Cruz and Karina Ocasio sent Puerto Rico to a four set victory over USA and for the first time to the semi finals of the Women’s Pan American Cup. The score was 21-25, 32-34, 14-24, 25-18.

In making the final four phase, Puerto Rico also claimed a ticket for the 2009 World Grand Prix. Cruz scored 25 points and Ocasio was one step lower with 24. Sarai Alvarez added 14.

Kristin Richards led USA with 15 points, Cynthia Barboza and Tracy Stalls contributed 13 apiece and Alexis Crimes had 11 points.

“It is a great victory for our team,” said Puerto Rican Vilmarie Mojica. “Two years ago USA beat us in five sets in the quarterfinals, so this win is some kind of sweet. Today it was a great team effort.”

“They outplayed us in every aspect of the game,” said American Stacy Sykora. “They played great volleyball and deserved to win.”

“After four years of frustration we finally could see the lights,” said Juan Carlos Nunez, the Puerto Rican coach. “We served very well and our team performed with great determination in the second set when we saved many set-points.”

“This was a game played at a high level,” said Tom Hogan, the USA coach. “Both outsiders of Puerto Rico, number 9 (Cruz) and number 11 (Ocasio) seemed to score with every swing. Now we have to go back and focus on our next matches because there is still a chance to qualify for the Grand Prix.”

Puerto Rico won the first set behind the powerful attacks of Karina Ocasio seconded by Aury Cruz and Sarai Alvarez. Behind 10-12, Ocasio produced four consecutive points with two spikes and two aces. One disguised attack by setter Vilmarie Mojica provided the final point.

The second set was a fiery battle from start to finish. One spike by Alvarez and a long attack by Barboza decided the war of spikes and blocks in the fourth chance of Puerto Rico while USA wasted six set-points.

The Americans blocked the path of Puerto Rico in the third set which was very distant in terms of emotions compared to the previous one.

Puerto Rico jumped to a 7-0 lead in the fourth set when Cruz scored with three aces. They never looked back and moved to the semi finals.