Puerto Rico defeats Costa Rica to secure seventh place

HAVANA, Cuba, April 1, 2017–Puerto Rico secured the seventh place by dominating Costa Rica in straight sets (25-9, 25-20, 25-21) on the penultimate day of the IV Pan American U-18 Girls’ Cup taking place at the Sports City Coliseum.

Puerto Ricans attacked and blocked more. However only in the first set, they could win without any pressure as in the other sets the Central Americans displayed resistance contributing to a more exciting show.

Sofia Victoria (13), Ariana Pagan (11) were the top-scorers by the wining team while for their rivals, Tamara Espinoza was the only one who scored double figures (11) followed by her teammate Isayana Soto who contributed 9 points.

Julio Meléndez, coach of Puerto Rico: “We could have made a better work, but what matters is there was not any injured player and we finished at least winning. However we will have to assess some playing elements and continue working hard for future competitions.”

Andres Lopez, coach of Costa Rica: “The essential thing is the girls will return happily without physical problems with a yesterday’s victory which will chin them up. Although, obviously I expected more, but we were in a pool where the other teams, Cuba and Colombia, got to move on to semifinals. I am leaving with a positive balance and optimistic as if we might have more games, we will obtain better results.”