NORCECA's 2010 Pan American Cup

    Argentina
    downs Puerto Rico in match for fifth place






    TIJUANA, Mexico, June 26, 2010 – Argentina claimed the fifth position of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by downing Puerto Rico in straight sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-16) on Saturday.


    Emilce Sosa, Leticia Biscacci and Georgina Pinedo egistered 14, 13 and 11 points respectively for Argentina while PuertoRican Sarai Alvarez had a match-high 19 points and Alexandra Oquendo chipped in 9 points.
    “The match was not a beauty, and the technical level waslow,” Argentinean Horacio Bastit said. “But you can’t ask for aLot of intensity when you are playing for a fifth place. We hadthe illusion of playing for one of the top four spots. But Iam satisfied with the performance since we lost two close matches 3-1 against the teams playing in the final.”
    Puerto Rico’s assistant coach Yarelys Rodriguez said: “We had some injuries of key players like Karina Ocasio and Yarimar Rosa who couldn’t make the trip plus Aury Cruz took some timeoff after many years playing without rest. I hope we can have everything together for the Mayaguez Games and the World

    Championship.”

    USA
    beat Cuba in straight sets for the bronze medal






    TIJUANA, Mexico, June 26, 2010 – USA claimed the bronze medal of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup after a straight-set win (25-15, 25-20, 25-17) against Cuba on Saturday.


    Megan Hodge compiled 16 points to lead the winning side while veteran Heather Bown totaled 10 points including five blocks. Jordan Larson and Nancy Metcalf chipped in 9 and 7 tallies. Cuban Kenia Carcaces topped her side with 13 and YanelisSantos added 9 points.
    “Our main goal was to qualify to the Grand Prix but it was good to see our team coming back strong after the loss of last night. We are happy with the victory and happy about going to the Grand Prix next year,” USA Coach Hugh McCutcheon said.
    “We were neutralized at the net like it was the case yesterday,” Cuban Juan Carlos Gala said. “Our game was yesterday or maybe

    after securing the qualification to the Grand Prix our intensity was not the same. But anyway, USA was the better team oncourt
    today.”


    Dominican
    Republic crowned as champions of Pan Am Cup




    TIJUANA, Mexico, June 26, 2010 – Dominican Republic are the new champions of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup following their 3-0 (25-17, 30-28, 25-22) triumph against Peru on Saturday night in Tijuana, Baja California.


    It was the second title for the Dominican team in the nine-year history of the event with the other gold medal coming in2008 in Mexicali, Baja California.
    Altagracia Mambru, Annerys Vargas and Lisvel Eve each contributed 12 points to the win while Prisilla Rivera and Milagros Cabral charted 9 apiece. Peruvian Leyla Chihuantallied 11 for the defeated side.
    “This is my first gold in the Pan American Cup and the second as coach of Dominican Republic since we won the NORCECA Continental,” said Brazilian Marcos Kwiek. “Our team is working hard to be recognized as part of the elite of volleyballand at this moment we have won the respect of people. Our

    defense and reception has improved and we are ready for major challenges.”


    “It looks like we reserved our best two matches for the last two days,” the Dominican Cabral said. “The defense and blocking worked almost perfect. Since we came here our goal was to win the gold.”