Cuba loses to Chile in Pan American Volleyball Cup

Havana, June 11 (RHC) -- The Cuban national team lost to Chile in straight sets (24-26, 22-25, 25-27) in the quarterfinals of the VI Pan American Women's Under-21 Volleyball Cup and lost the opportunity to continue fighting for a ticket to the 2023 World Championship in that category.

The South Americans were superior in defense and disposition against a team that, after their solid victories against the Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, took the court as favorites to advance to the semifinals.

Cuba had more attacks (45-40) and blocks (6-5), but committed 24 errors of their own to their opponents' 15. In other words, they gave away a set to a team that never looked lost, while our team looked bewildered and nervous, typical of their lack of play with that pressure.

Opposite Yalain De La Peña led the Cuban offense with 15 points (10 attacks, 2 blocks and 3 aces) and she was followed by outside hitter Claudia Tarin (11), middle blocker Lisania Grafort and outside hitter Thainalien Castillo (both 10).

For the winners, Florencia Giglio (15) stood out, escorted by Dominga Aylwin (14) and opposite Petra Schwartzman (10).

With this victory of the Chileans, and Argentina's 3-0 (25-20, 25-12 and 25-13) over Puerto Rico in the other match, both teams assured their advance to the semifinals where they will face the United States and Mexico, respectively.

These two teams from the Norceca area are the ones that will get the two tickets to the 2023 under-21 World Championship, since South America did not attend with the four teams required by the regulations.

Cuban technical director Rogelio Goytizolo considered that "we found an opposing team well organized in defense, they fought hard for every ball".

"We on the other hand were erratic in blocking and defense, it cost us that the match went in favor of Chile. Our best players had a poor performance and contributed very little to the team's success", he valued.

Dominican Republic defeated Costa Rica in straight sets 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-18) and has a 1-2 record, and will play this Saturday for the seventh place against Canada (2-2), who defeated Honduras also 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-9).

In a Central American challenge, the Costa Ricans (0-4) and the Hondurans (0-3) will meet to define the ninth place of the tournament that concludes on Sunday.