Havana, November 24 (ACN) -- Cuba defeated Costa Rica 3-2 and closed with success and two setbacks in the group phase, by B, in the I North, Central America and Caribbean Continental Championship (Norceca) U17 women's volleyball, hosted until this Sunday in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

According to the website www.norceca.net, the Cubans lost the first and second sets, 14-25 and 20-25, but reacted and swept the next three, 25-22, 25-20 and 18-16, in a level match that lasted two hours and one minute of play.

Collectively, Cuba was better in attack, 58 points to 50, and service (18-14), tied in blocking (7-7) and gave up eight points less due to their own errors, which shows how close the match was.

Individually, Cuba's Salet Yuniksian Castillo Valdes was the top scorer of the match with 38 points, 34 in attack, two in blocking and two in service, followed by Costa Rica's Nicole Leyva Fallas (17/12-1-4).

   Also outstanding for Cuba were Lizt Marien Lopez Rodriguez (14/9-2-3) and Jessica de la Caridad (12/8-1-3).

   This afternoon-evening, the match between the undefeated Dominican Republic and Canada will take place in the B bracket, as well as the A bracket, Nicaragua-Mexico and Honduras-Puerto Rico, in that order.

   Before all these challenges, Group A was led by the Dominican Republic and Canada (2-0), followed by Cuba and Costa Rica (0-2), in that order.

   In segment A the leader was Puerto Rico (2-0), ahead of Nicaragua and Mexico (1-1) and Honduras (0-2), in that order.     

   The organizers indicate that the first places in each section will advance directly to the semifinals on the 25th, while the quarterfinals will be held on the 24th, with the second and third places in each section.

    On the 26th, the bronze and gold medals will be discussed, in that order, and the teams that will win the three places for the First World Championship of the category in 2024 will be decided.