Photo: L. Anaya, José
CUBA defeated the Dominican Republic, 3-1, at the close of the Women’s Final Four Volleyball tournament, held June 7 in Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva, and secured one of the tickets up for grabs to the World Cup in Japan.
Having already won two games in the tournament, the Dominican team qualified for the Japan competition after winning the first set, but Cuba was able to respond winning the match 22-25, 25-18, 25-13 and 25-23.
After the first set, the team increased the pressure, knowing that by winning the subsequent three sets and besting Puerto Rico’s score average - knocked out despite beating Canada – they could clinch a ticket to the World Cup.
The top scorer of the match was Melissa Vargas with 20 points, followed by Alena Rojas and Sulian Matienzo (13), while Marianne Fersola (10) was the only player on the visitors’ team to reach double digits.
Roberto García, coach for the Cuban team, noted, “Today, we were just hoping for a win, I believe my girls needed it, and that they respect the Dominican team given their results, but fought for the win and to go to the World Cup.”
Captain Sulian Matienzo, commented, “We all knew our performance would be decisive, even more so given that the Puerto Ricans also had options. We couldn’t rely on anyone else, just our performance on the court, we are very happy.”
Brazilian, Marcos Kwiek, the Dominican team’s coach, noted, “Cuba played a good game, we came to qualify for Japan and we did it despite having many injured players, who were complaining from the first day, and I couldn’t take any risks with them. After this competition we have several other commitments this year over a long season, despite this, it was a game well played, except in the third set in which we had many problems.”
Dominican player Prisila Rivera stated, “Cuba showed unexpected resistance, obviously we had already qualified and were more relaxed, but the local team played a great the game, coming from behind in no time. If they keep it up it will be a difficult team to beat, not only for us, but also any other team worldwide.”
MELISSA TOP SCORER AND BEST ATTACKER
Dominican player Eve Mejía was named most valuable player of the tournament; Melissa Vargas was the top scorer and best outside hitter, together with Puerto Rico’s Aurea Cruz.
Dominican Daymara Lescay and Canadian Lucille Charuk, were selected as best middle blockers, while sisters Sheila and Karina Ocasio from Puerto Rico, were named best server and opposite, respectively.
Canadians Jennifer Lundquist (best setter) and Janie Guimond (best libero), made the All Star team, which was completed by the Dominican Republic’s Brenda Castillo as best digger and Cuba’s Emily Borrel as top receiver.
The Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico finished with an equal number of victories and defeats (2-1), while Canada ended the tournament with no wins.
While the Dominicans totaled 10 points, Cuba and Puerto Rico both finished with 9 and second place and the remaining ticket to the World Cup, held from August to September in Japan, decided by point-ratio with Cuba besting Puerto Rico.
The Dominicans totaled 249-244 points; the Cubans 275-258; and Puerto Ricans 235-222, while the Canadians finished with 229-264.
